Blue Jays: Former players suiting up for new teams in 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 25: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks back to third during a game against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 25, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 25: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks back to third during a game against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 25, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 23: Josh Donaldson
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – AUGUST 23: Josh Donaldson /

Josh Donaldson- Atlanta Braves

Josh Donaldson will attempt to regain his MVP form with the Atlanta Braves after the third baseman signed a one-year/ $23 million dollar deal with the Braves.

Donaldson will reunite with former Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos as the duo attempts to lead the upstart Braves back to the postseason. The 2014 acquisition of Donaldson is one of Anthopoulos’ most notable and successful trades he managed to pull off during his time in Toronto.

Donaldson ended the 2018 campaign with the Cleveland Indians after the Blue Jays shipped the hot corner specialist to the Indians for pitcher Julian Merryweather at the end of August. Donaldson spent nearly four seasons with Toronto hitting .281/.383/.548 with 116 home runs and a 21.4 WAR in 462 games.

During his time with the Blue Jays, Donaldson won an MVP award, two Silver Slugger awards and represented the Jays at the mid-summer classic on two occasions. The third baseman battled an assortment of nagging injuries the past two seasons but there is no questioning Donaldson is a legitimate game-changer when healthy.

There will undoubtedly be a small union of Blue Jays fans rooting for the former fan favourite and the Braves in 2019 especially with Toronto not expected to contend this season.