Debate: What should the Blue Jays do with Donaldson?
The Toronto Blue Jays have had a miserable 2017 season, and with the losses mounting ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, they suddenly find themselves at an important crossroads.
Perhaps the biggest question is not "will they trade" at the deadline, but rather "who" they may look at trading - and the biggest name to potentially move south of the border is former American League MVP Josh Donaldson.
Donaldson would obviously fetch quite a haul on the market despite an injury-plagued first half, though there's no indication the Blue Jays have even opened up the bidding. But is it wise keep him, considering this is a team that may not be in position to quickly contend again next year? theScore's MLB editors Jason Wilson, Brandon Wile, and Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb discuss what the Blue Jays' best course of action would be.
Trade Donaldson now
The key word is "control." A team - likely a contender - looking to nab Donaldson will be able to deploy him for two postseasons instead of one if a trade is made during the offseason. This enhances his value to the Blue Jays exponentially. Even though there isn't a massive demand throughout baseball at the hot corner - is a deal with the Red Sox even possible? - when a player of Donaldson's caliber becomes available, teams are going to listen. They'll make room. He may be underperforming, but one half season of mediocrity isn't going to suppress interest by much. Should the right combination of top prospects and MLB-ready talent be offered, the Blue Jays must pull the trigger. - Wilson
Wait and trade Donaldson next summer
It doesn't make much sense for the Blue Jays to trade Donaldson in the next 10 days, or this winter. He's battled injuries and inconsistency both defensively and at the plate this season, and there isn't an overwhelming market for third baseman right now. You'd be selling low (to an extent) on a guy who when he's at the top of the game, is one of the biggest stars in the majors. If it's the Blue Jays' intention to try and be competitive next season, you hold onto Donaldson with the hope that you can make a run, and then ship him off at the deadline if you don't. While waiting until next July might limit some of the return you get due to him being a rental, it's the best move for a club not committed to a full rebuild. The ideal scenario for Toronto - if they aren't contenders next year - is that Donaldson returns to his MVP form, and there's much more of a demand for third baseman next summer. - Wile
Sign Donaldson to an extension
Yes, trading Donaldson will bring back a haul - that is as good as established. But it's also rare that a legitimate star like Donaldson - who is a bona fide team-changer - comes around, as the Blue Jays found out in 2015. Getting Donaldson's name on an extension now would ensure that the Blue Jays continue to benefit from their star for years to come, and that he'll be the centerpiece of the next great Blue Jays team - which isn't that far away. Even if his defense eventually forces him across the diamond, that bat won't go away as long as he's healthy. Donaldson is one of the most important players in Blue Jays history, and his acquisition was a turning point for the franchise; to let that kind of impact player walk away for nothing while he can still be the productive face of a winning team makes zero sense. It should be a no-brainer for both sides. - Sharkey-Gotlieb
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