As the Clock Ticks Towards the Waiver/Trade Deadline, Is Josh Donaldson Still on the Indians Wish List?

The waiver/trade deadline is today in Major League Baseball, and while the Indians have been at the forefront of the waiver wire the last two seasons with pickups like Coco Crisp and Jay Bruce, today there’s rumors of maybe an even bigger name coming to Cleveland.

That name (one that we’ve heard before) is Josh Donaldson, an infielder from the Jays who in 36 games in Toronto this year has hit five homers and 16 RBI.

The Jays and Donaldson are heading for an ugly divorce according to reports, and but right now the problem is he’s not played in a Major League game since late May due to a calf injury.

He’s been trying to make it back, and could be a huge asset to the Indians, and appeared to be making progress playing in a game with High-A Dunedin Tuesday, going 1-for-2 with an RBI single and one walk.

Donaldson is owed $23 million this season, so if the Jays want him gone as reports say, they will have to likely pay his deal in order to move him.

There’s another factor in play if the Indians grab Donaldson, which is IF he’s able to come back and play – where does he fit?

Indians manager Terry Francona has already said that Jose Ramirez isn’t moving to second base, meaning that Donaldson’s natural position of third base is filled.

The DH spot is already filled between Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso, so if the team grabs Donaldson, it’s a mystery as to where they might put him.

That’s not stopping Bob Nightengale from stating that the Indians still have interest in the 2015 AL MVP.

If the #Yankees indeed acquire Andrew McCutchen, it would make perfect sense for the Cleveland #Indians to turn full attention to #Bluejays Josh Donaldson.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 31, 2018

It could be an interesting day for the Tribe as the clock ticks towards the deadline.