The Toronto Blue Jays were unable to deal Josh Donaldson before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, though it wasn't due to a lack of outside interest.
General manager Ross Atkins said numerous clubs contacted him regarding the former AL MVP, but the sides weren't able to strike a deal because of Donaldson currently residing on the disabled list with a calf injury, without a definitive timetable for return.
"Josh is a great player, and I think any GM would be excited about thinking about Josh in their lineup and playing third base down the stretch," Atkins said, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. "There were a lot of discussions. The challenge is, with any player that is not playing, is understanding that risk and that timeline, with not the same access to information that we have.
"The tolerance for that risk was the hard part to try and bridge. We had a lot of discussions about JD. We stayed in touch with Josh, obviously, but it didn't end up becoming a deal."
It's been a disappointing walk year for Donaldson, as he's been limited to just 36 games due to shoulder and calf injuries. He hasn't played since May 28 and has recently been away from the team rehabbing. Atkins hopes Donaldson can return to the majors soon, which could allow the club to move him this month.
"I think this week will be very telling, and we'll have a much better update for you in the upcoming days," Atkins said. "He had his best week last week. A lot of explosive exercises and really, really encouraged by the progress he has made.
"I think he is nearing 100 percent in strength. The thing with JD, just because of where he is and how he has matured in his career, he's not going to need a long rehab assignment. He's not going to need or want or desire many minor-league at-bats. I think once he gets up to 100 percent of that strength, and nearing that, things will move quickly."
If the Blue Jays can't move Donaldson, they could extend a one-year qualifying offer during the offseason in hopes of landing a compensation pick should he sign elsewhere.
