The Toronto Blue Jays finally put an end to the Josh Donaldson saga on Friday http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-danny-duffy-jersey , and it really couldn't have ended soon enough for any of the parties involved.Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported on Friday evening that the 2015 American League MVP was traded to the Cleveland Indians, and thus ending an era that was highlighted by trips to the ALCS in 2015 and 2016.Sources: Josh Donaldson has been told he's been traded to the Cleveland Indians.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 1, 2018The move finally ends a drama-filled soap opera, one that should have ended much earlier. Donaldson told reporters last year that he approached the front office and made it clear he wanted to finish his career north of the border."I鈥檝e made it known to our front office that I enjoy being a Blue Jay. If it鈥檚 a possibility, I would definitely enjoy being a Blue Jay for a long time," Donaldson said, per Rob Longley of Postmedia.advertisingHowever, Donaldson later revealed in February that the two teams weren't in the "same ballpark," when it came to contract negotiations, via TSN's Scott Mitchell. That - coupled with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s inevitable call-up to the majors in 2019 - should have been enough to convince president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins to trade Donaldson. Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY SportsThe Blue Jays probably would have received at least a couple of top prospects if they dealt Donaldson during the winter. But the front office had a thought (and a not so realistic one) Frank White Jersey , that they could make the playoffs if they kept Donaldson.advertisingWell, that didn't go so well. The Blue Jays are headed for a second consecutive losing season, and Donaldson hasn't exactly had a memorable 2018 either. A nagging calf injury has limited him to 36 games this season, and his last game in the majors took place back on May 28.Donaldson returned just in the nick of time earlier this week, playing his rehab games for Single-A Dunedin. That was enough to get a trade done with Cleveland, and now they're banking on him staying healthy.Sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic that the Blue Jays wanted "Donaldson gone," and reports later suggested that his relationship with the front office was becoming an unhealthy one. Donaldson did throw shade at them with this comment:advertisingDonaldson on his situation with the #Bluejays front office this year: 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot I can say about that but I choose not to say anything about it right now. There will be a time."— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) August 31, 2018The Blue Jays probably made the right decision to trade Donaldson. He gets the chance to win join a winning team. It paves the way for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to take over at third base on a permanent basis. They also don't have to worry about the complicated qualifying offer - one that would have been around $20 million - that he would have certainly accepted.But the Blue Jays could have been more up front with Donaldson. They could have told him no extension was coming. They could have dealt him to a contender before 2018 started, and it would have netted them a great return package.Instead, they gambled and told themselves this could be a contending team in 2018. This was despite their two marquee offseason additions being veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson and starting pitcher Jaime Garcia. Neither of them are with the team anymore. Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY SportsThe Donaldson era in Toronto did not have to end like this. He's one of the main reasons why they were able to end a 22-year playoff drought in 2015 http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-joakim-soria-jersey , and Donaldson was just as instrumental in getting them to the postseason again in 2016.Encarnacion left two summers ago to join an Indians team that was one victory away from the World Series title in 2016. He and Donaldson will now enjoy helping Cleveland win their third consecutive AL Central title, with a World Series ring possibly going with it.Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will try and figure out how to build this team back into a contender. Donaldson and Encarnacion are gone. Jose Bautista left after a dismal 2017 season. J.A. Happ (a 20-game winner in 2016) was traded to the New York Yankees, and closer Roberto Osuna was dealt to the Houston Astros following an arrest for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.Indeed, the Blue Jays are rebuilding, and there are a handful聽of veterans that won't be returning in 2019. It's now up to Shapiro and Atkins, who inherited the ALCS team left by Alex Anthopolous in 2015, to rebuild Canada's only baseball team into a contender.The Donaldson saga was botched big time, but they'll have several more chances to try and fix this team as Toronto transitions into its next era of baseball. The San Diego Padres are in last place in the National League West, but they are reportedly looking to acquire a No. 1 starting pitcher as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.According to Dennis Lin of The Athletic Kelvin Herrera Jersey , the Padres "checked in" on the availability of New York Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard. Lin described San Diego's pursuit as a "wide-ranging search for a frontline starter."Syndergaard is on the disabled list with hand, foot and mouth disease, perJames Wagnerof theNew York Times, but he is a dominant force when healthy and pitching at his best. The 2016 All-Star has made 13 starts this season and sports a 2.89 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 83 strikeouts in 74.2 innings.While health problems have plagued him of late and he made just seven starts last year, Syndergaard is 25 years old and figures to have a bright future ahead of him.San Diego doesn't seem like a logical trade partner given last-place teams are typically sellers and not buyers at this time of year, but Syndergaard isn't set for unrestricted free agency until 2022. He could anchor the Padres rotation for years to come if the Friars acquired him and satisfy their search for an ace.San Diego ranks an ugly 24th in MLB with a 4.83 starters' ERA and needs a stabilizing force if it is going to contend for a playoff spot in 2019 and beyond.Syndergaard could represent just that.