TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 01: Detail view of a Blue Jays logo on a batting circle prior to a regular season game between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays on August 01, 2023 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Toronto Blue Jays enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in franchise history while an MVP slugger manned the hot corner, but apparently he nearly left the team for their recent World Series rival at the height of his powers.
Three time All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson became a fan favorite while leading Toronto to consecutive postseason appearances and establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier slugging infielders.
But now that he has retired from the sport, Donaldson revealed just how close he came to joining the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise instead of taking the next step in his career elsewhere.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Star Slugger Josh Donaldson Details Los Angeles Dodgers’ Pursuit
Speaking recently on the “Get It Done League” podcast, Donaldson reflected on his free agency following the 2018 season and disclosed that the Los Angeles Dodgers made a serious push to sign him.
“The Dodgers was calling in on me for my free agent year after 2018,” Donaldson said. “They were offering me a three-year deal, I wanted four at the time because I had two other teams that were in at four years. And the Dodgers offered me a nice chunk of change at that time.”
After the Dodgers refused to increase their offer to a fourth year, the team pivoted and instead executed a legendary trade to acquire star infielder Mookie Betts, who now anchors their roster.
“They went and made the better move anyhow,” Donaldson added. “They went and got Mookie and stole him from the (Boston) Red Sox.”
Ultimately, Donaldson signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves before later landing a four-year deal with the Minnesota Twins.
Toronto Blue Jays Career Cemented Former MVP’s Legacy
Although Donaldson’s career included stops with several organizations, his greatest success came in Toronto.
“During his four years in Toronto, Donaldson was a two-time AL all-star and won the American League MVP in 2015, when he batted .297, slugged 41 home runs and led the league with 123 RBIs,” Dan Balicki noted for the Toronto Sun. “The third baseman posted a career slash line of .261/.358/.489 with 279 home runs and 816 RBIs before officially announcing his retirement from baseball on March 4, 2024.”
Donaldson captured two Silver Slugger Awards during his Blue Jays career and remains one of the most accomplished players to wear a Blue Jays uniform during the modern era.
And while his free agency nearly took him to Los Angeles before the Dodgers pivoted to Betts, Donaldson’s legacy will always be tied most closely to Toronto.