Donaldson, Blue Jays nearing $28.65M, 2-year deal

Donaldson is now under team control through the 2018 season, but will once again be eligible for arbitration following the 2017 season.

Josh Donaldson and the Toronto Blue Jays have avoided their February 15th salary arbitration date, as Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported late Monday night that the sides have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension worth almost $29 million.

The Blue Jays won 93 games to claim the AL East title and went on to make the AL Championship Series, where they lost to eventual World Series victor Kansas City in six games. The often nasty process involves a player and the club each presenting dissenting sides in a hearing with an independent arbitrator, with no compromise on the two salary numbers.

A 12-year veteran who has also pitched for Philadelphia, the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta, Floyd had a 2.70 ERA and no decisions in seven relief appearances with Cleveland last season, missing significant time with a fractured elbow for the second straight year.

The 30-year-old Donaldson was the American League MVP last season, finishing the year with a 41 home runs, 123 RBIs and a. 297 batting average.

While he was rewarded for his monster 2015 season, if he followed it up with an equal or even better 2016 season, he was in-line to earn even more money in 2016.