The Blue Jays countered by submitting an offer of $11.35 million.
Advertisement
American League MVP Josh Donaldson has filed for salary arbitration, asking for a huge raise to US$11.8 million after leading the Toronto Blue Jays to the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
With that Chris Davis comparable, expect the Blue Jays to build their argument around Donaldson’s production over the past year to be worthy of an equal or lesser jump, but not more. There’s no urgency to lock him up to a long-term deal since he doesn’t become a free agent until 2019, but the club should determine how much he’d be set to earn should they re-sign him after that.
The Jays defeated Donaldson in his first year of arbitration last year, in what was their first hearing since 1997.
A source said the Jays, under new president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins, will continue the “file-and-trial” policy of the previous regime.
Jesse Chavez is also heading to arbitration with Blue Jays over a similar amount. He asked for $4 million U.S. and the Blue Jays offered $3.6 million US.
Advertisement
Six Jays avoided arbitration and agreed to one-year deals: Brett Cecil (US$$3.8 million), Steve Delabar (US$835,000), Drew Hutchison (US$2.2 million), Aaron Loup (US$1.05 million), Michael Saunders (US$2.9 million) and Drew Storen (US$8.8million).
