Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays headed to salary arbitration
MLB club comes to terms with 6 players before deadline
American League MVP Josh Donaldson has filed for salary arbitration, asking for a huge raise to $11.8 million US after leading the Toronto Blue Jays to the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
The Blue Jays offered $11,350,000 US on Friday, the day sides were required to swap figures.
The American League MVP lost his case last year and made $4.3 million US while leading the Blue Jays to their first playoff appearance since 1993. He will almost certainly command a much higher salary for 2016.
The Blue Jays did avoid arbitration with recently acquired right-handed reliever Drew Storen, signing him to a one-year deal worth $8.375 million US.
Toronto also signed one-year deals with left-handed pitcher Brett Cecil ($3.8 million US), outfielder Michael Saunders ($2.9 million US), right-hander Drew Hutchison ($2.2 million US), left-hander Aaron Loup ($1.05 million US) and right-hander Steve Delabar ($835,000 US).
Right-hander Jesse Chavez joined Donaldson in filing for arbitration. He asked for $4 million US and the Blue Jays offered $3.6 million US.
With files from The Associated Press