Toronto Blue Jays: Three biggest threats to sign Josh Donaldson

3 of 4

The Toronto Blue Jays want to make an effort at retaining Josh Donaldson beyond 2018. To do so, they must compete with several teams, including these three.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson earned himself a record-setting $23 million this offseason. How is this a record? No other player has taken home more in an arbitration-eligible season.

The Toronto Blue Jays are doing their best to please the 2015 American League MVP. Can the big payday charm him into a spending a few more years with the Toronto Blue Jays?

Donaldson is a free agent after the upcoming campaign, making him free to sign elsewhere. Unfortunately, it’s a stocked class. Plus, Donaldson reaches the open market before his age 33 season. Age will work against him as will the fact that fellow third baseman Manny Machado is also available. Given a choice between the two, Machado has far more advantages.

This doesn’t mean Donaldson will settle for a pillow contract. He will surely have more welcome mats rolled out for him than Mike Moustakas this winter. Even if top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is marching toward MLB, there’s room for Donaldson to stay.

If the Toronto Blue Jays don’t lock up Donaldson before the end of 2018, they may have to compete with the rest of baseball for his services. Taking into account need, money, and readiness to win, there are three franchises that stand out most as three of the best possible suitors for Donaldson.

New York Mets

A few things may need to change before the New York Mets become serious offseason buyers next winter. Anything could happen, including a new owner taking over. Even if the same shot-callers are in the front office, we could see the Mets make a charge at Donaldson.

The David Wright comeback is all but over. Asdrubal Cabrera is also unlikely to stay with the Mets beyond 2018. For better or worse, his public displeasure with the team last year bought him a ticket out of town.

The Mets are a team that we should list as a dark horse to make several big signings next winter. Their window for winning is closing, but a substantial breeze is still coming through. Led by Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom at the top of the rotation, they still have Yoenis Cespedes and a few other talented offensive weapons to keep them from falling to the bottom of the standings.

Donaldson could help the Mets by providing them with a potent right-handed bat. Of course, the danger is that they will need to win quickly to make the most of his time in New York. Donaldson is likely nearing a statistical decline. If the Mets were to sign him, they have to realize he’s not the missing piece. Donaldson is one of the multiple chips they would need.

Even after the recent Todd Frazier signing, we could see the Mets make room. Moving Frazier to first base and allowing Donaldson to stay at third base works itself out.

St. Louis Cardinals

Maybe the favorite to sign Donaldson next winter, the St. Louis Cardinals have regularly been mentioned in trade rumors about the Toronto Blue Jays’ third baseman. Last summer, it seemed possible that Donaldson would finish the season with the Cardinals. No trade ever happened, but that’s not the end of the rumors. When he’s free to pick his destination, Baseball Heaven could become his new home.

The Cardinals are always a team ready to contend. They also happen to need one of the corner infield positions. Take your pick; they are an organization in need of a first baseman or third baseman. Donaldson could conceivably begin his time in St. Louis at third base before possibly shifting across the diamond later in his career.

This year, the Cardinals will employ Matt Carpenter and Jedd Gyorko at the hot corner. Both flexible infielders could always move to another position thereafter with Donaldson in the mix.

Donaldson is the many alternative teams interested in Machado could seek. Since the Cardinals seem to prefer building a solid roster with depth and avoiding huge contracts, Donaldson looks like the preferred player. I do think he will get paid, but not at the same level as other elite free agents.

Texas Rangers

The end of Adrian Beltre’s reign as the Texas Rangers’ third baseman should come to a close after the 2018 season. While possible they do ink him for another season, Beltre’s body may not hold up. This will allow them to look at other options out there, including Donaldson.

More from Call to the Pen

The Rangers have yet to make any significant signings this winter. Their needy pitching staff added Doug Fister, Matt Moore, and other more affordable arms. Could this be, so they have enough in the tank to make a run at Donaldson?

As one of baseball’s oldest teams without a championship trophy, we should expect the Rangers to undergo busy offseasons continuously. This isn’t a team shy of spending either. Once Beltre is off the books, anticipate them to replace him with an equally as terrific player quickly.

Donaldson played well during his time with the Oakland Athletics. When he went to the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre in Toronto, he became an even better player. Surround this guy with the best environment possible and a good lineup for the best rewards. The Rangers can offer him both. For them to land him, the third factor has to come to fruition: money.

Next: Five under .500 teams from 2017 most likely to make MLB postseason

Are the Rangers willing to add another veteran for big dollars or did Shin-Soo Choo scare them from taking risks?

Home / Toronto Blue Jays