The St. Louis Cardinals are making a stronger push for Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson than for the Orioles’ Manny Machado, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
The Blue Jays have said that they have no intention to trade Donaldson, who will be a free agent at the end of the 2018 season, because they believe they will be competitive next season. But as many as five teams have reportedly reached out and Toronto isn’t hanging up the phone.
The former MVP hit .270/.385/.559 with 33 home runs last season.
The Blue Jays swung a deal with the Cardinals earlier in the off-season by acquiring infielder Aledmys Diaz on Dec. 1.
Machado, who will also be a free agent after next season, is reportedly being shopped now because the team doesn’t believe it will re-sign him.
Machado hit .259/.310/.471 and also had 33 home runs in 2017.
The Cardinals have already shown their intention to acquire some power bats by trading for outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Marlins.
Whether a Donaldson trade happens or not, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins still expects his team to make some moves before spring training opens.
“It just feels like there’s momentum,” he said recently.
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