The Toronto Blue Jays are 2.0 games behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays. It seems everyone except for the Boston Red Sox could take first place in the AL East and while the Jays desperately need to solidify that closer spot as soon as possible, there is one trade that is making general manager Alex Anthopoulos look like a genius.
Josh Donaldson Should be an All-Star Starter
That move was done November 28th 2014 when Anthopolous sent a bunch of prospects including Sean Nolin along with Canadian third basemen Brett Lawrie to the Oakland A’s for their third basemen Josh Donaldson.
Josh Donaldson has had great numbers offensively for the Blue Jays with a .298 average, 56 runs, 86 hits, 17 home runs, 46 RBI, .359 OBP, .895 OPS and currently has a 3.9 WAR. It also needs to be noted that he is leading the Jays in many of the offensive categories like runs, hits and homeruns. Not only has he had a fantastic start offensively, but his defense has picked up nicely and has been a human high light reel of late. Recently, he dove head first into the stands to make the out against the Rays, in a catch that is a contender for play of the year.
Donaldson is only 29 years old, but has played in five major league seasons now, he plays like a ten year veteran and brings playoff experience with a winning mindset to the team. Along with Russell Martin who was also brought in the off season, this leadership has really helped this Blue Jays team grow from a slow start at the beginning of the season.
It is obvious that Donaldson is an All-Star this season and despite the fact that Kansas City Royals fans have voted in droves to have many of their players start in this year’s All-Star game, but Jays fans aren’t going to let the third basemen’s spot go without a fight. Donaldson has pulled to within 30 000 votes from the Royals Mike Moustakas who leads amongst American League third basemen.
Donaldson deserves to be a starter and the Jays fans need to keep having their voices heard. He is helping this Jays team day in and day out. He is a tremendous athlete and has been a massive upgrade at third offensively; he helps make the Jays offense which boasts Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Reyes and Russell Martin even better. He will be an all-star this year for the Jays, but he deserves to be a starter, so Jays fans keep up the voting.
Donaldson is also proof that Anthopoulos can make a good trade that impacts the team in a positive light. Hopefully he didn’t use all his magic with Donaldson and he can upgrade the teams bullpen properly and not just add guys through minor league deals. If he can do it once he should be able to do it again. So fans sit back, vote Josh Donaldson for this year’s all-star game and sit back and see if AA can make a deal that can help this team now.
TORONTO, ON- MAY 8 – Josh Donaldson (20) of the Toronto Blue Jays looks skyward as he arrives at the plate after homering in the first inning during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre May 8, 2015 (David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
