Multiple teams are reportedly interested in Josh Donaldson

The Blue Jays have until the end of the day on Friday to deal Josh Donaldson. Is that enough time to start a bidding war and actually get something of remote value for him?

Per Rob Longley, multiple teams are interested in acquiring the former MVP despite the fact he hasn’t played since May. I mean, if you’re a team in a playoff race, it’s probably worth taking a risk on a player with so much upside because your other options would be lower upside guys of the Jose Bautista and Curtis Granderson ilk.

I have this deep suspicion that the Red Sox are interested in Donaldson. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to the pain of being a Blue jays fan that I just assume Donaldson will find his way to a massive September in Boston while the Jays somehow get less than they did in return for Steve Pearce. In reality, though, Boston’s current third baseman, Rafael Devers, is currently on the 10-day disabled list opening up room for a Donaldson addition. Also, Donaldson could easily be an upgrade on the 21-year-old who sports a modest .719 OPS for the season.

Elsewhere in the American League? The Yankees could deem he’s better than Greg Bird at first base. A A return to the stingy Oakland A’s doesn’t seem likely. Cleveland has room to possibly use Donaldson in a corner outfield spot and the PR response of that deal would be fucking hilarious. The Astros wouldn’t  be an option either with Alex Bregman at third, unless they, like I suggested with New York, figured he could be an upgrade on Yuli Gurriel at first. I doubt it, though.

How about the National League? There are eight teams all in the middle of an extremely tight playoff race. The Cubs and Dodgers likely don’t have room, though those are the big-budget teams you’d expect to be able to execute this kind of deal. The Diamondbacks had their third baseman Jake Lamb hit the DL to undergo season-ending surgery. The Rockies are fine at third with Nolan Arenado. The Phillies and Brewers look like they could use just about any boost they can get. Donaldson has always been linked to the Cardinals. The Braves don’t need a third baseman but Alex Anthopolous is their general manager so anything is possible.

So, yeah, there definitely seems to be a handful of fits for Donaldson out there. Like I said, I’ve been through enough Jays-related pain that Donaldson to Boston just seems inevitable. Hopefully the Jays can start some kind of bidding war in the National League dog race to get something worthwhile in return.