The Toronto Blue Jays had a hot commodity this past offseason in third baseman Josh Donaldson. After a disappointing an injury filled season, they lost their chance to get a proper return in trade.
During the offseason, there were quite a few players that were expected to be traded, with Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson amongst them. However, not only did a slowly developing free agent market minimize trading, but the Blue Jays expected to contend in 2018, even though the Red Sox and Yankees had improved their rosters.
Needless to say, this season has been a disappointment in Toronto. The Blue Jays are a distant fourth in the AL East, sitting at 43-52, 23.5 games out of first. Yes, the Red Sox and Yankees may be running away from the AL East, but the Blue Jays are also 14.5 games out of the second Wild Card. It has already been a long summer in the Rogers Centre.
Donaldson has been amongst those disappointments in Toronto. Expected to fetch an excellent return should the Blue Jays falter, he has gone through a miserable 2018 campaign. He has dealt with injury and struggled when able to play, with his .234/.333/.423 batting line marking his worst output since 2012.
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At this point, it may be fair to wonder if the Blue Jays will get the sort of return that would make a trade worthwhile. The Orioles made a mistake in holding on to Manny Machado this offseason, but his superlative performance in 2018 will still allow them to salvage a potentially franchise changing deal. Donaldson, meanwhile, will not get nearly that type of return on the trade market.
At this point, it may actually be in the Blue Jays best interests to hang on to the former MVP. Instead of trading Donaldson this offseason, a qualifying offer could be their best plan of attack. If he accepts, the Blue Jays could flip a healthy Donaldson at the deadline next year. Otherwise, if he declines and signs elsewhere, they would get the compensation pick, potentially adding another top prospect to their farm system.
Regardless of what the Blue Jays decide to do with Donaldson at the deadline, they missed their opportunity to maximize his value. Even though Toronto had designs on contending this season, those hopes were minimal at best. Adding Jaime Garcia, Aledmys Diaz, and Yangervis Solarte does not change a team that finished 76-86 that dramatically. It was time to sell on Donaldson last offseason, and add to an already strong farm system.
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The Toronto Blue Jays missed their chance with Josh Donaldson. Now, they may be better off hanging on to him and using the qualifying offer.