The Blue Jays lost their case against Danny Valencia last week, but CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that they went to another arbitration hearing today with third baseman Josh Donaldson.
Donaldson, who was acquired from the Athletics in late November, requested a $5.75 million salary for 2015 and was offered a $4.3 million by the Blue Jays when arbitration figures were exchanged last month. The three-person panel of arbitrators will pick one salary or the other and we should know their decision as soon as tomorrow. It’s a little awkward for this to go to a hearing considering the Blue Jays just acquired Donaldson, but they are known as a “file-to-trial” team, meaning that they cease negotiations on a one-year deal once arbitration figures are exchanged.
Donaldson, 29, batted .255/.342/.456 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI over 158 games last season. He’s under team control through the 2018 season.
