Toronto Blue Jays: Josh Donaldson speaks on frustrating season

Following his second rehab game, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson opened up about the tough season he’s had and his future.

There have been many down moments in the Toronto Blue Jays season but Josh Donaldson’s injury might be of the damage it’s done to his value and the team’s ability to get assets in return.

Three seasons ago, Donaldson was putting together an MVP season and helping the Blue Jays break their postseason drought. Now, the team is scrambling to find a team that will take a chance on him with the waiver deadline quickly approaching.

Whether he plays out the rest of the season in a Blue Jays uniform or somewhere else, the front office is going to take heat for the way the situation has played out.

The 32-year-old spoke to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun about his rehab game and his frustrating season. While he didn’t go into specifics, it appears that Donaldson isn’t too pleased with how everything has worked out.

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While he wouldn’t expand on what the issues are, there’s a good chance the third baseman wasn’t too thrilled to be the hot subject of trade rumours about since the offseason.

Players generally don’t like to be used as pawns especially when they don’t have a guaranteed contract going into next season.

According to Longley, there were many scouts in attendance to watch Donaldson’s game as contending teams try to determine whether he’ll be worth adding heading into the postseason. A scout did tell the Toronto reporter that he’s still a worthwhile target based on his track record.

"“Everyone knows what Josh Donaldson can do and what a great competitor he is,” said a scout from a National League team who preferred not to be named. “There will be interest. He’s proven at the highest level and if he’s healthy, he can be a big part of a team making a push.”"

Obviously, Donaldson could have more control over what happens if he’s able to show that he won’t be a liability for a team spending assets to acquire him. There’s only so much time left in the minor league season so he might not have as much time to do that.

According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, the Blue Jays are right against the clock when it comes to getting a deal done for Donaldson and that still remains the likely ending.

If they can’t trade him then the front office will have the tough decision of either letting Donaldson go for nothing or hope that he accepts the qualifying offer which is no guarantee right now.

While some believe that it’s a lot of money to offer a player after an injury-riddled season it a makes more sense for the team to roll the dice with him again and see if they can trade him to a team instead of losing him for nothing.

Do you think the Blue Jays can get a deal done for Donaldson by the deadline or will he be with the team for the rest of the season? Let us know in the comments below.