MLB trade rumors: Yankees watch Indians nab Josh Donaldson

by Felix Pantaleón

The Yankees and the Blue Jays are discussion a trade that could land Josh Donaldson in the Bronx with Friday’s waiver deadline looming, according to a report.

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Updated 9:30 p.m.

The Indians have acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson from the Blue Jays, according to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman isn’t done.

A day after adding outfielder and 2013 National League MVP Andrew McCutchen from the Giants, the Yankees were talking to the Blue Jays about a deal that could land 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson in the Bronx, according to a report from Fancred’s Jon Heyman.

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The report added that Toronto would have to pay about half the $4 million Donaldson is owed through September. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has said h doesn’t want the team to exceed the $197-million luxury tax threshold.

Sources: Yankees are among teams talking to jays about josh Donaldson. Toronto would have to pay down the 4M to go by at least half. Yanks will absolutely not go over threshold. (They are thought about 2.8M under)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 31, 2018

Does this make sense? Sure. Cashman is going to utilize every penny he has, since Steinbrenner has him on what’s essentially a salary cap. If there’s a way to fit the 32-year-old in, why not check it out.

Where would Donaldson play? Probably first base, where the Yankees are relying on the unestablished Luke Voit rather than sticking out Greg Bird’s struggles. Voit has hit well of late but he didn’t have much big-league experience before coming over from the Cardinals in a trade before the non-waiver deadline. The Yankees may be ready to give up on Bird, who has been terrible since returning from right ankle surgery.

Another worry: Donaldson hasn’t played since late May, thanks to a calf injury. He’s definitely rusty. Also, moving Donaldson to first base wouldn’t necessarily be a smooth transition. He’s played just five games there in his career and only once this season. It’s doubtful the Yankees would move Miguel Andujar, their third baseman and AL Rookie of the Year candidate, to first base.