The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney from the New York Yankees in exchange for J.A. Happ. As Drury was the Yankees starting third baseman on opening day, does this trade signal an end of an era for Josh Donaldson in Toronto?
According to baseball-reference, Josh Donaldson is currently on the disabled list with left calf tightness and is expected to be out until the beginning of August for the Toronto Blue Jays.
After hitting 41 home runs in his first season with the Blue Jays in 2015, he followed it up with 37 home runs in 2016 and 33 home runs in 2017.
His slugging percentage and on-base percentage also remained high during those three seasons. In 2015, he held a .939 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). In 2016, he held a .953 OPS and in 2017, he held a .944 OPS.
Although Donaldson’s first three seasons in Toronto each resulted in MVP consideration, the 2018 season has not gone according to plan.
Donaldson has only appeared in 36 games thus far with 159 plate appearances. He has compiled five home runs with an OPS of .757.
With Donaldson set to be a free agent following this season, it looks as if the Blue Jays are already penciling in his replacement.
Brandon Drury was acquired from the New York Yankees along with Billy McKinney for another player that is set to be a free agent, J.A. Happ.
Although Drury was the starting third baseman on opening day for New York, he has also battled injuries this season.
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Brandon Drury was placed on the disabled list on April 7th earlier this season due to blurred vision caused from migraines.
The Yankees were unaware of the migraine issue as Drury did not disclose the problem to his previous team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, even though he claimed the migraines have affected him throughout the course of his professional career.
Drury has only appeared in 18 games at the MLB level in 2018. He holds a .263 on-base percentage and a .275 slugging percentage through 57 plate appearances.
Even though Drury has not performed well in limited MLB opportunities this season, he performed very well in his time in the minor leagues as he worked through his migraine issues.
Through 258 plate appearances between AA and AAA, Drury held a .403 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage. He also earned a spot on the AAA All-Star team.
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Drury has spent more time in the MLB than the 18 games with the Yankees. Prior to his trade to New York, Drury compiled 1038 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks. In those appearances at the plate, he held a .319 on-base percentage and a .448 slugging percentage.
Between his excellent MiLB numbers, and his solid career averages at the MLB level, Drury looks to be the heir to the third base throne in Toronto as he is controllable through the 2022 season.
Toronto also has an incredible infield prospect in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that could soon take over the third base spot if Drury does not work out at the position.
Despite the tough season for Donaldson, he will still have plenty of suitors lined up for his services in the offseason.
It also would not be surprising to see his name come up in trade talks in August as the prorated remainder of his $23 million contract this season will likely pass through waivers without a claim.
The Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves are also possibilities as they have been connected to third base help in trade rumors.
The Yankees were interested in Manny Machado before he was moved to the Los Angeles Dodgers, so they could also be a potential landing spot for Donaldson.
If Donaldson returns healthy at the beginning of August, expect his name to be a consistent topic for the Toronto Blue Jays in the waiver season. Similar to how Justin Verlander was a popular topic around the MLB before he was traded to the Houston Astros in August of 2017.