Toronto Blue Jays Resign 2015 MVP Josh Donaldson

A sign that baseball spring training isn’t too far off (besides the Super Bowl and TV ads for the upcoming Daytona 500) is the signing of arbitration eligible players before they get to the sometimes contentious arbitration hearing. In salary arbitration, both sides exchange salary figures and then argue their cases before the arbitrator, who by rule has to pick one figure or the other and can’t pick something in the middle. Clubs sometimes are placed in the uncomfortable position of telling the arbitrator why a player coming off a superb season shouldn’t be paid a higher amount, so most of the time a deal is reached before getting to that stage.

Such is the case with 2015 American League Most Valuable Player Josh Donaldson, the third baseman of the Toronto Blue Jays. Multiple reports say Donaldson and the Jays reached an agreement on a two year $29 million contract. If it had gone to arbitration, Donaldson would have asked for $11.8 million for 2016, while Toronto would counter with $11.35 million. In the grand scheme of pro sports lofty salary numbers, that’s not much difference so it’s no surprise they settled, and a two year deal no doubt keeps the player and club happy they won’t have to do this next year.

Donaldson hit .297 with 41 homers and a league leading 123 RBIs , 122 runs scored, and 352 total bases, leading the Blue Jays to their first playoff appearance in 22 years.