Toronto Blue Jays: The Josh Donaldson ripple effect
By David Hill
The Toronto Blue Jays gave Josh Donaldson a record breaking contract for arbitration. What will that mean for negotiations between players and teams going forward.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a definitive statement regarding their intentions for the 2018 campaign on Friday. They signed Josh Donaldson to a record deal as they avoided arbitration, guaranteeing their third baseman $23 million for the upcoming campaign. It was certainly a great one year payout for Donaldson, as he is now tied with Joe Mauer for the 16th highest salary for the upcoming season. That should put those trade rumors to rest.
While the Donaldson move is a positive one for both parties involved, it could well have an interesting ripple effect. Heading into his walk year, he will be getting that impressive salary, which is certainly well deserved given his production over the years. It also sets Donaldson up for a solid contract when he eventually reaches free agency.
However, Donaldson’s deal has the potential to cause a ripple effect throughout the game. After seeing him reach that $23 million mark in arbitration, teams may work harder to lock in their younger stars to long term contracts. These deals have the potential to end up as bargains for the team, while giving those players financial security moving forward.
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Given the potential long term cost for those younger stars as they move through arbitration and get closer to free agency, more teams may look to follow that model. There is always risk in these extensions (just ask the Astros about Jon Singleton) but the potential reward outweighs the possible lost money.
However, for those players, would it be worth having those arbitration years bought out? After Donaldson received that deal, the bar has been raised. A player like Mookie Betts or Kris Bryant may be even less interested in a long term deal, knowing that sort of payout could be available in another two or three years. Unless the extension is going to break the bank, why settle for what could be a lot less money?
In a way, that deal with Donaldson could lead to a change in the way teams operate. They may be far more inclined to attempt to lock in those younger players, hoping for that cost certainty and to create that long term core. The players, meanwhile, may resist those deals, hoping for their own Donaldson-esque payday sometime down the road.
Next: What to do with Devon Travis?
By signing Josh Donaldson to a one year deal worth $23 million, the Toronto Blue Jays have locked in their third baseman for the coming year. In doing so, they may have changed the financial landscape for the rest of the major leagues.