TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have avoided a potentially contentious arbitration hearing by signing reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson to a two-year contract worth $29 million, a source has told MLB.com.The agreement was first reported by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Toronto has yet to comment on the deal, while Donaldson tweeted a rather cryptic message that said, "Mood right now" with a photo of him celebrating after a home run at Rogers Centre.
Donaldson was set to go through an arbitration hearing later this month and he submitted a figure of $11.8 million for the 2016 season while the Blue Jays countered with $11.35. An independent arbiter would have been picked one of the two salary figures, but the hearing is no longer necessary.The exact structure of the contract remains unknown but the Blue Jays were able to get the deal done while still holding on to their status as a file-and-trial team. Toronto has a club policy of not negotiating arbitration deals after salary figures are exchanged unless it is for a multiyear deal.Donaldson has three years of control remaining on his contract but he won't have to go through arbitration again until 2018. That's good news for an organization that will want to keep one of its star players happy instead of trying to make a case during the hearing about why he should be paid less.Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins hinted last week at an annual event for season-ticket holders that a deal could be close. He admitted the two sides were focused on a multi-year deal and it appears once common ground was found the two sides moved quickly to get the deal done.Donaldson has finished in the top 10 in voting for the AL MVP during each of his last three seasons. The career year came in 2015 when he beat out Angels center fielder Mike Trout for the award after hitting .297/.371/.568 with 41 home runs and a league-best 123 RBIs.Toronto took right-hander Jesse Chavez to arbitration last week and ultimately lost the case. The Blue Jays were looking to pay Chavez $3.6 million but he was awarded $4 million after the hearing. Donaldson was the lone remaining player on the roster who was eligible for arbitration.
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