Toronto Blue Jays: Three biggest threats to sign Josh Donaldson
By Tim Boyle
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.