MLB power rankings: Top 10 third basemen of 2017

Jun 6, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado (13) dives for a ground ball in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Baltimore Orioles won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) throws to first base for an out during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game four of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays

Trading away Josh Donaldson for Brett Lawrie will go down as one of the all-time worst trades in baseball history, especially for someone as smart as Billy Beane. After leaving Oakland, Donaldson has exploded in Toronto, where he is a perfect fit in an incredibly patient lineup. A late bloomer who did not stick in the big leagues until 26, Donaldson has one of the best eyes at the plate, and does not give into pitchers.

In Donaldson’s first two years with the Blue Jays, he has batted .291/.387/.559 with 78 home runs and 222 RBIs. He won the AL MVP in 2015 and finished fourth last year, winning another Silver Slugger in the process. Donaldson has now been to three All-Star Games in a row. He also has nine doubles and four home runs over the past two postseasons.

The 2017 season will be a big test for Donaldson. In his first two years with the Jays, he was protected by Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Encarnacion is gone now, and Bautista appears to be aging rapidly. The replacements that were signed this winter like Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce will not strike the same type of fear into opposing pitchers.

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