Indians Are 'All In' After Getting Josh Donaldson, 5 Questions About His Deal to Come to Cleveland

It was the shot heard around downtown Cleveland Friday night, as social media went abuzz as soon as it hit that former AL MVP and Jays thirdbasemen Josh

It was the shot heard around downtown Cleveland Friday night, as social media went abuzz as soon as it hit that former AL MVP and Jays thirdbasemen Josh Donaldson had been traded.

Within a short period of time it became official, that Donaldson's next journey would be to Cleveland to play with the Indians, making a team that clearly is headed to the posteseason even more dangerous from an offensive standpoint if Donaldson can get close to 100 percent.

The deal to get Donaldson was not an easy one, as the Tribe waited and waited and waited some more to see if he was going to be able to turn the corner on his calf injury that has kept him out for over three months now.

The Indians had seen enough after Donaldson hit a homer in a rehab start on Thursday night, and got the deal done before Friday's deadline.

There's a lot of questions about Donaldson, his health, and what his coming to the roster will mean, and today we will look to answer some of those questions.

1. Donaldson Will Play Third

Indians President Chris Antonetti said late Friday night that newly acquired slugger Josh Donaldson will play his normal position of third base when he's healthy enough and ready, leaving an interesting dilemma for the Tribe.

It sounds like (as of early Saturday) that Jose Ramirez will be the one on the move, this despite Terry Francona stating all along that he wanted to keep his MVP candidate at third.

The obvious solution is that Donaldson goes to third, JRam to second, and the question next will be what happens to Jason Kipnis.

2. So What Happens to Jason Kipnis?

Jason Kipnis didn't have much to say on the matter of Josh Donaldson being acquired on Friday night, but it's rather obvious that he now might be the odd man out of the Tribe lineup.

He's never truly gotten going in 2018, and as of today he's hitting .227 with 13 homers and 56 RBI with six steals.

There's been question about Kip moving back to the outfield (for the second straight season), but again Terry Francona said not long ago that likely wasn't going to happen.

Now with Donaldson aboard, it could be the only way Kipnis gets any playing time - once Donaldson is ready to go.

Jason Kipnis has not yet been told what the Josh Donaldson acquisition would mean for his defensive assignment. He did offer this: pic.twitter.com/nLvYoGem1R

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) September 1, 2018

3. When Will Donaldson Be Ready?

That's all up to the calf muscle that has been stopping Donaldson from playing since the last few days of May. It seems like he's closer than ever, and his outing in a rehab stint on Thursday was the telling moment when the Indians decided they were ready to deal for him.

Donaldson has had issues with both his right and left calf, as well as a shoulder injury, all in all forcing him to miss 142 games the last two seasons with the Jays.

All signs seem to indicate that he'll be ready early in September, and there's a chance that while he'll be in Cleveland today and on the 40-man roster, he will make some starts down in the minors to keep getting ready to get to the Major League level.

The biggest thing will be for him not to have a setback of any sort while trying to get back to health, and if he can keep making strides, he could be with the Indians roster at the MLB level by the end of next week.

4. What is This Costing the Indians?

The relationship with now Jays President Mark Shapiro from his years with the Indians clearly helped to get the deal done to get Donaldson to Cleveland, as there were rumors that the St.Louis Cardinals were also in the mix for the sluggers services.

Reports indicate that Donaldson is owed about $4 million on the rest of his contract for 2018, and that the Jays are sending almost all of it (reports say as much as $3.4 million) to the Indians to help pay Donaldson's salary.

The Indians are sending back to the Jays the always popular 'player to be named later' for Donaldson, and Chris Antonetti said Friday night that player would have to be sent by the end of January.

In other words, the Indians gave up little to nothing to get Donaldson, clearly showing that the relationship between the Indians and Shapiro was a huge factor in getting the deal done.

5. How Will The Indians Lineup Look with Donaldson?

From the moment that it was official that Donaldson was aboard with the Indians, fans have been giddy about what the Tribe's lineup would look like once he gets to the MLB roster.

With a healthy Donaldson, it puts the Indians lineup clearly at a different level, as there's no doubt that his power and ability could make the Tribe serious contenders to the Astros, Red Sox and Yankees in the AL.

Imagine this top Six with Donaldson in the mix:

1. Francisco Lindor
2. Michael Brantley
3. Jose Ramirez
4. Edwin Encarnacion
5. Josh Donaldson
6. Yonder Alonso

In a word - wow. That could be a lineup that could play with anyone in baseball, and if Donaldson can get that calf healthy and put up the numbers that he has in the past, the Indians World Series hopes and dreams might just be fulfilled in 2018 after all.