The Blue Jays have agreed to a 2-year extension with star third baseman Josh Donaldson, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.
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Toronto management and Donaldson’s representation, MVP Sports Group, were set for a hearing February 15.
Donaldson, last season’s American League MVP in his initial season with the Jays, sought $11.8 million; the Jays submitted $11.35 million. The move reunites the 2007 AL Manager of the Year with Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins, both former colleagues with the Indians. 371 on-base percentage and a. 568 slugging percentage in 158 games.
Donaldson is under team control through the 2018 season, so the sides will need to go through the arbitration process after the 2017 season if he is still a member of the Jays. He cranked out 41 doubles and an impressive 41 home runs, while driving in a league-leading 123 runs. As part of the Major League Baseball collective bargaining agreement, Blue Jays had to reach a multi-year deal with Donaldson to avoid arbitration were his salary would’ve be determined by an independent arbitrator.
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While he was rewarded for his monster 2015 season, if he followed it up with an equal or even better 2016 season, he was in-line to earn even more money in 2016.
