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Toronto Blue Jays: Which players should be on the trade market?

By David Morassutti

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 4: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 4, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 4: J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 4, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 3: Josh Donaldson /

Josh Donaldson

All eyes will be on Donaldson’s calf injury when he returns to the lineup but the most recent update suggests that it won’t happen until he is able to round the bases without any issue.

That’s not the most encouraging news considering the limited window the Blue Jays will have to showcase him if there is interest at the deadline. At the end of May, we wrote how the team shouldn’t expect a big return for the 2015 AL MVP with other options that teams could consider.

While some fans would not want to see Donaldson on the move, the reality is that the team is not in a competitive position and would be doing him a service to go for a championship or give him a chance to get back some of his stock ahead of a big free agency decision.

Maybe he comes back as a free agent, maybe he doesn’t but it appears that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the future of this team at third base. Now it is not outrageous to consider a situation that Donaldson is back with the team season but it appears to be highly unlikely with no reports of contract negotiations being done.

That’s why it makes more sense to get any value that Donaldson could have on the market even if it’s not a monster return. The obvious issue is finding a team that needs a third baseman or has an opening for a DH/3B.

Could the St. Louis Cardinals make another play for Donaldson? Would the Phillies be interested in going all in? Maybe Alex Anthopoulos considers making an offer.

It will be tough to gauge the interest and value that Donaldson can bring as long as he’s on the DL.

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