Report: Cardinals continue to push for Blue Jays’ Donaldson

Ross Atkins spoke after the Rule 5 draft about his experience there and at the Winter Meetings as the Blue Jays find their footing in the off season.

The St. Louis Cardinals are continuing their push to acquire Josh Donaldson from the Toronto Blue Jays, but have so far been met with disinclination, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Rosenthal adds that the Blue Jays’ price for the third baseman is high and a deal does not appear close.

Toronto brass has given every indication that it plans to have the Blue Jays compete next season, despite a division that became increasingly tougher in recent days when the New York Yankees acquired Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins.

The Cardinals have long coveted Donaldson, who’s got one remaining year of club control. St. Louis entered the off-season looking to dramatically upgrade its offence and on Wednesday reportedly acquired slugger Marcell Ozuna from the Marlins.

St. Louis has a surplus of outfielders that could prove attractive to the Blue Jays, who have openings in left and right field. However, the Cards might not be the only suitors for the former American League MVP — at least five teams are showing interest in Donaldson, three of which are “persistent,” according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

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