Blue Jays Expecting to Trade Josh Donaldson Tonight (UPDATES: Indians)
Buckle up. I fully expect Josh Donaldson to be a St. Louis Cardinal by the end of the day, and the price tag is gonna be bupkis.
Josh Donaldson trade is becoming more likely, and we'll be discussing his status momentarily on @MLBNetwork. My story on where the talks stand here: https://t.co/3K5Qa1JnHk @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 31, 2018
As Morosi writes, “sources say the Cardinals have emerged as a suitor for Donaldson because of infield injuries of their own. Cards officials intensified their efforts to add a position player once Kolten Wong and Jedd Gyorkowere placed on the disabled list on consecutive days this week …. [I]f the price tag is sufficiently low, the Cards would welcome the addition of Donaldson once active rosters expand to 40 players Saturday.”
To be sure, Donaldson is still getting over a calf injury that has cost him much of a season in which he hasn’t hit like the superstar he once was. But the talent is there, even at age 32, for him to explode as a game-changing bat for the Cardinals much in the way that Daniel Murphy – also overcoming an injury in his 30s – could be/has been for the Cubs. He figures to be able to join a big league team as soon as this weekend.
The Blue Jays sure sound eager to move Donaldson no matter what, so it may just be a matter of getting a team to take on a lot of his remaining salary (if he’s cleared waivers, or if he was claimed by the Cardinals) to get a deal done.
The waiver trade deadline is today, and this could go right up to midnight.
UPDATE: Just to confirm that it was not a waiver *claim* situation:
Sources: josh Donaldson has cleared waivers and is eligible to be traded to any of 29 teams
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 31, 2018
UPDATE 2: The Blue Jays are keeping their options open:
Josh Donaldson was slated to be in single-A Dunedin’s lineup tonight but has been pulled. Not health related, I’m told. #BlueJays
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 31, 2018
But the Cardinals are saying – publicly, at least – that they don’t expect a move:
“I would not anticipate anything at this time.” — Mozeliak on whether a deal can be struck before midnight’s deadline. #stlcards #cardinals #MLB https://t.co/1zVl7dgf2A
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) August 31, 2018
It would seem quite a biff for the Cardinals NOT to pick up Donaldson right now. It’s a gift that fell in their injured lap thanks to the timing.
UPDATE 3: Interesting to not see the Cardinals listed:
Sources: Blue Jays have told multiple teams they expect to trade Josh Donaldson before midnight deadline.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2018
Teams that have shown interest in Josh Donaldson, per sources: Yankees, Astros, Indians, Braves and Phillies. Others could jump in. About 4 1/2 hours until the deadline. Blue Jays would eat significant amount of the $4 million-plus Donaldson is owed.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2018
UPDATE 4: Not the Cardinals, hooray:
Sources: Josh Donaldson has been told he's been traded to the Cleveland Indians.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 1, 2018
