Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson says he hasn’t asked for a contract extension beyond next season but reiterated that he’d like to remain in Toronto.
The 2015 American League MVP, who is set to become a free agent in 2019, took to Twitter Thursday to chastise a report from baseball reporter Jon Heyman suggesting Donaldson may be asking for too much money.
Heyman, in a column published Thursday on Fanragsports.com, said Donaldson “is believed to be seeking a monster payday, according to friends.
“And while he may not hit his goal (some think he may be shooting too high), he benefits from Manny Machado’s move to shortstop since he’d become the top third base option if Machado stays at shortstop as a free agent,” Heyman continued.
Donaldson replied to Heyman with a two-part tweet.
“I respect what you do for a living, but you don’t know my friends. Nor do my friends know what I want, because there is still information to be gathered. I havn’t asked for anything. What I have said is I would like to stay,” Donaldson wrote on his verified Twitter account.
“I would listen to an offer, but I havnt had one to listen to so it’s been pretty easy. Thanks for your concern about my future and next time I hope you put a name by it, because you are using my name in a manner I don’t appreciate.”
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Donaldson and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration last month by agreeing on a US$23 million, one-year contact — the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player.
The contract gives Donaldson a $6 million raise while also making the three-time all star the highest paid player on the Jays’ roster.
Donaldson rebounded from an injury-slowed 2017 to hit .270 last season with 33 homers and 78 runs batted in over 113 games. The sure-handed infielder missed time from April 14 through May 25 with a calf injury, which also hampered him during spring training.
He was coming off a $28.65 million, two-year deal.
Donaldson has a .285 batting average with 111 home runs and 300 RBIs over three seasons in Toronto.