Josh Donaldson signs two-year deal with Blue Jays

Omnisports 04:42 - 09 February 2016

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The Toronto Blue Jays and Josh Donaldson have reached consensus over a new deal for the American League MVP.

Josh Donaldson has signed a new two-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays worth almost $29million, thus avoiding an arbitration date.

The reigning American League MVP will earn $11.65million in 2016 and $17m next year, the Blue Jays announced.

Donaldson initially asked for a salary of $11.8m, with the Blue Jays countering with an offer of $11.35m.

An independent arbiter was set to choose between the figures at an arbitration hearing on February 15, but that is no longer required as the two parties reached consensus.

Donaldson was traded to Toronto from the Oakland Athletics in November 2014 and was one of the key components in helping the Blue Jays end their 21-year post-season drought.

The 30-year-old hit .297 in the 2015 regular season with a career-high 41 home runs, 123 RBIs and 122 runs scored last season, became just the second MVP in Blue Jays history.