News » It was a steep fall from grace for a man

who'd have garnered blue-chip prospects a year or two earlier. And it was a painful concession for Toronto Kolten Wong Jersey , which waited too long to trade its franchise player.Then again, it was also a second chance. The Jays were going nowhere in an American League East dominated by the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.The Indians, on the other hand, were waltzing to a third straight AL Central title.The Tribe wanted offensive help. Donaldson, presumably, wanted another crack at an October run and a chance to put his injury woes and underperformance in the rearview mirror.Roller skate, meet key.In 16 regular-season games with Cleveland, Donaldson hit .280 with a .920 OPS."I'm glad he's on our side now," Indians right-hander Josh Tomlinsaid Trevor Rosenthal Jersey , per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "Watching that swing as opposed to actually having to face that swing."The swap was subject to scrutiny by the Red Sox and Yankees, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.At the time of the deal, Donaldson hadn't played in the majors since May 28. Per MLB rules, a player has to be healthy to be put on revocable trade waivers.Small-sample caveats aside, Donaldson's performance with the Indians proved he was healthy and laid those objections to rest. Also, it primed him for an October outburst that could swell his bank account.Bryce Harper and Manny Machado will headline the2018-19 free-agent class. Neither player was stellar in his contract year, but the 25-year-old Harper and 26-year-old Machado ought to command contracts north of $300 million and possibly in the vicinity of $400 million.For the clubs that strike out on that dynamic duo, Donaldson is an intriguing, roll-of-the-dice consolation prize.Is there risk? Sure. A player who's entering his age-33 season with nagging injury issues doesn't scream "wise investment."Donaldson isn't merely some player http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-jedd-gyorko-jersey , however. He's a rare talent who isn't far removed from elite production. On a shorter-term pact worth hundreds of millions less than what Harper and Machado will reel in, he could be an unmitigated bargain.Ed Zurga/Getty ImagesIt'll depend on how Donaldson performs in the playoffs. After cruising to victory in the weak AL Central with a 91-71 record, the Indians will kick off their October slate against the defending MLB champion Houston Astros on Friday.For what it's worth, Donaldson owns a .333 average against Astros righty Justin Verlander in 18 at-bats, a .292 average against southpaw Dallas Keuchel in 24 at-bats and is hitless against righty Gerrit Cole in three at-bats.In 133 postseason plate appearances, he's slashed .292/.361/.475.If he rakes and the Indians advance, his stock will soar. If he stumbles and Cleveland makes an early exit, he could be in line for a one-year show-me contract.It's Donaldson's move, in other words. Recent results indicate he's prepared to take advantage.Harper and Machado will gobble up the headlines. But a former MVP is poised to reclaim his seat at the superstar table.General managers Carlos Martinez Jersey , prepare your checkbooks.All statistics courtesy of FanGraphs. CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Cubs exercised their $20 million option on Cole Hamels on Friday, solidifying their rotation for next year, and traded fellow left-hander Drew Smyly to the Texas Rangers.Hamels, who turns 35 in December, went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts after he was acquired in a July 27 trade with Texas — a frequent trade partner for Chicago since Theo Epstein took over the Cubs’ front office in 2011. Had the Cubs declined the option and paid a $6 million buyout, the Rangers would have paid the Cubs an additional $6 million.The 29-year-old Smyly is heading to Texas after missing his only year in Chicago as part of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in June 2017. The Cubs also parted with a player to be named in exchange for a player to be named.Smyly signed a $10 million, two-year contract with Chicago last December. He was healthy at the end of last season, but the contending Cubs ran out of time in terms of bringing him back.Chicago also claimed infielder Jack Reinheimer off waivers from the New York Mets. The 26-year-old Reinheimer hit .167 in 21 games with New York this year.Hamels gives manager Joe Maddon a deep group of starting pitchers as the Cubs try for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks Lance Lynn Jersey , Jose Quintana and Yu Darvish also are expected to return, with Mike Montgomery and Tyler Chatwood waiting in the wings.Hamels, a former first-round pick, made his major league debut with Philadelphia in 2006. He is 156-114 with a 3.40 ERA in 13 big league seasons.He was working on perhaps the worst season of his career when Chicago got him from Texas for right-hander Eddie Butler, minor league pitcher Rollie Lacy and a player to be named. He was 5-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 20 starts with the last-place Rangers at the time of the trade, but the Cubs felt a change of scenery and a pennant race might help him get back on track.They were right.Hamels had an instant impact with Chicago, going 4-0 with a sparkling 0.79 ERA in his first five starts with the team. He was unbeaten with the Cubs until he was hit hard in a loss at Arizona in his 10th start on Sept. 19.When the NL wild-card game went into extra innings, Hamels made just his second major league relief appearance and responded with two scoreless innings in Chicago’s 2-1 loss to Colorado. He is 7-6 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 career playoff appearances.The option completes the deal Hamels signed with Philadelphia in July 2012, bringing the total value to $158 million for seven years.Hamels struck out 13 while pitching a no-hitter at Wrigley Field in his final start with Philadelphia in 2015. He was traded to Texas six days later http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-mark-mcgwire-jersey , and helped the Rangers to two AL West titles.Earlier this week, the Cubs exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler picked up his $5 million player option.Strop, one of the baseball’s most consistent relievers since he was acquired in a July 2013 trade with Baltimore, went 6-1 with 13 saves and a 2.26 ERA in 60 appearances last season.