Toronto Blue Jays fans are upset that management has decided to enter a rebuild phase only a couple seasons removed from the pennant chase. The final nail in the coffin, confirming the Blue Jays' rebuild has come into existence. The Jays have traded former AL MVP Josh Donaldson to the Cleveland Indians for "future considerations." The Blue Jays will also fork over $2.7 million in the deal.
The 3rd basemen has been rehabbing a strained right calf in the minors while he awaits the OK from the doctors. The Cleveland Indians know they may not have acquired a peak version of the 2015 MVP, but are willing to hedge their bets at minimal cost. After this year, Donaldson's contract comes off the book, which is incidentally part of the reason he was shipped to Cleveland in the first place. Contract talks between Josh and the Blue Jays broke down in February, before management became resigned to a rebuilding phase.
"This is one of the most dynamic players in the game on both sides of the ball when he's healthy," Indians president Chris Antonetti said late Friday night when the deal was closed. "We think there's an opportunity for him to get to a point this month where he'll be playing in games regularly and has a chance to impact us in the postseason."
Even if he doesn't return to form, the Cleveland Indian are in comfortable position to win a playoff series against any of their potential opponents. They currently 14 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins at the top of the AL Central. Donaldson will join his former Blue Jay teammate Edwin Encarnacion once he returns to full-health.