Blue Jays: The Five Burning Questions for the 2018 season

Will Josh Donaldson last the season as a Blue Jay?

You didn’t think this was going away, did you? The only ways for the discussion to finally stop about trading the former MVP will be if his contract is extended (doesn’t look like that’s happening), or if the Blue Jays are obvious contenders for a playoff spot.

The latter seems very plausible with this version of the Blue Jays, who have depth around the diamond, and with a healthy group of arms could have one of the best starting rotations in baseball. Their offence will once again be anchored by “The Bringer of Rain”, and in the 2018 version of the team he’ll no longer compete with Jose Bautista as the face of the franchise.

This is now Donaldson’s team, at least for as long as he’s in a Blue Jays’ uniform. My guess is he’ll remain in that uniform as long as the team is winning, and that winning could ultimately peak his interest in sticking around beyond 2018 as well.

If the Blue Jays are struggling through another difficult year, don’t be surprised if Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro look to finally find a trade partner for their star third baseman. Even if they do want to extend him, they could always look at a scenario where they get some prospects in return for a half season of his services, and then look to bring him back to Toronto as a free agent. It’s equally plausible that a trade could permanently end his time as a Blue Jay, as we don’t know for sure how free agency could go.

Regardless, this question will be in the back of the minds of Blue Jays fans, and undoubtedly of those in the front office as well, at least until summer rolls around. Once we have a better idea of what this team can do in 2018, then maybe we can finally put the question to rest, but until then it’ll remain a nagging issue.