Jays Journal
FanSided

Former Blue Jays currently featured on the AL/NL Championship Series rosters

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 19: Josh Donaldson #28 of the New York Yankees runs to first after getting hit by a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 19: Josh Donaldson #28 of the New York Yankees runs to first after getting hit by a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Josh Donaldson Blue Jays
TORONTO, ON – MAY 23: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes the play and throws out the baserunner in the third inning during MLB game action against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Rogers Centre on May 23, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Donaldson /

Josh Donaldson – 3B

Acquired during the 2014/2015 offseason from the Oakland Athletics, Josh Donaldson was coming off an All-Star campaign and was a main reason the Blue Jays had such a successful 2015 season.

The “Bringer of Rain” ended up winning the AL MVP Award that season with 41 home runs and a league-leading 123 RBI to go with his .939 OPS, also taking home the Silver Slugger Award. As a member of the Blue Jays, Donaldson amassed a .281/.383/.548 slash line through 1749 at-bats, smashing 116 home runs to go with a .931 OPS and a 19.4 bWAR. He also earned two All-Star appearances during his three 3.5-year stay with the Jays.

With the Jays heading towards a rebuild and Donaldson struggling with injuries, Ross Atkins and co. traded him at the deadline to the then-Cleveland Indians in exchange for RHP Julian Merryweather.

He finished the season in Cleveland and signed a one-year deal with Atlanta for the 2019 campaign before inking a four-year $92 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. This past offseason, the Twins traded him, Ben Rortvedt, and newly acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the New York Yankees in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.

With the Yankees, Donaldson has had his clutch moments but has struggled to a .222/.308/.374 line and a career-low .682 OPS. The one thing trending in the right direction is his defence, as the third baseman amassed an 8 bDRS while sitting in the 92nd percentile in Outs Above Average (7).

In the 2022 postseason, Donaldson has appeared in every game in both the ALCS and ALDS, going 5 for 22 (.227) with one double compared to 11 strikeouts. He made waves earlier in the ALCS when he believed the ball was a home run but was ruled in play, with the infielder getting thrown out at second base after celebrating.

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