Blue Jays answer rivals with acquisition of All-Star Josh Donaldson

The Boston Red Sox were thought to have cornered the third-base market this week after signing top free agents Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.

Little did they know that just a few days later the Toronto Blue Jays would stun the baseball world by acquiring the best option in the league.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos emphatically answered his division rivals Friday, pulling off his second blockbuster shocker in three offseasons by trading for third baseman Josh Donaldson from the Oakland Athletics. 

The Blue Jays dealt potential for stardom, and with it, opened their window to win a bit wider. Athletics general manager Billy Beane said he was overwhelmed by the return, which included the talented-yet-oft-injured Brett Lawrie and a trio of prospects.

If Beane was overwhelmed, color Blue Jays fans overjoyed.

In Donaldson, Toronto secures an MVP-type player in his prime, whose defense at least matches Lawrie's and whose offense easily eclipses it. Donaldson, 28, is everything Toronto expected out of the 24-year-old Lawrie - and more.

The All-Star third baseman joins a Blue Jays lineup that, on paper, stacks up as well as any in baseball. Toronto is now the only team in the majors with three of the top 20 players in wOBA over the last two seasons.

(Courtesy: FanGraphs)

Donaldson's durability - he's missed four games due to injury since 2013 - figures to help stabilize an offense that went through long stretches last year with several key hitters on the disabled list. 

But despite producing the second-most wins among American League players over the last two seasons, Donaldson won't fill holes in left field, the bullpen or at second base. One might argue the Blue Jays are in need of another front-line starting pitcher, too.

Toronto went 83-79 last year, a nine-game improvement on its fifth-place finish in 2013. But with stars Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion under contract for just two more seasons, Anthopoulos is reacting with urgency this offseason.

The Blue Jays GM already secured the most coveted catcher available after signing Russell Martin to the richest free-agent contract in franchise history. He followed it up by acquiring one of the best third basemen in the game. 

Reminiscent of his two blockbuster deals in 2012, Anthopoulos is going all-in for a World Series championship.

The Blue Jays dealt potential for promise Friday, knowing full well that nothing in this league is guaranteed. One thing that is certain: Toronto is a better team than it was yesterday. Much better.