Yankees trade Gary Sanchez to Twins for Josh Donaldson

The New York Yankees are attaining Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a significant deal that will send out catcher Gary Sanchez to the wheeling and working Minnesota Twins.

The groups introduced that the Yankees will mail Sanchez and 3rd baseman Gio Urshela to Minnesota for a deal that will remake the remaining side of their infield in one particular swoop. Donaldson, the veteran slugger and former MVP, will be joined by protection-focused shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa — who the Twins acquired just this weekend from the Texas Rangers — and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

The Twins have produced a tangled web of moves because the lockout ended. They despatched absent two significant infield parts in the similar day they obtained Sonny Grey to bolster their rotation. Stories show that the Yankees are using on all of the $50 million of assured cash that remain on Donaldson’s offer.

Donaldson joins a crowded corner infield and specified hitter image that at the moment contains DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit.

The deal may perhaps also have wider ripple outcomes. A former catching prospect who has due to the fact become a easy defender at shortstop, Kiner-Falefa could fill the Yankees’ desires and sign that they are out of the Carlos Correa sweepstakes.

Urshela, who begun at third for the Yankees, joins the Twins as a readymade replacement, assuming their carousel of moves slows down.

What does the trade necessarily mean for the Yankees?

The Gary Sanchez era is about in the Bronx. Just after a bombastic debut year wherever he blasted 20 homers and virtually won AL Rookie of the 12 months in only 53 game titles, Sanchez has struggled to spherical out his activity. His batting average has floated all-around the dangerous .200 mark and his obtaining abilities have commonly been questioned at the sport’s most essential defensive situation.

He rated as a beneath average pitch framer and general defender by Baseball Prospectus metrics in 2021. Rortvedt, the 24-12 months-outdated catcher joining from the Twins, rated solidly above normal in a small sample.

Tale continues

What the Yankees acquire in the deal could substantially modify their offseason outlook. Speculation swirling all around how they would fill their shortstop situation could now be quieted without the need of a flashy free agent signing.

Kiner-Falefa, who recognized himself as a starter with the Texas Rangers about the earlier two a long time, appears to be Yankees basic manager Brian Cashman’s solution at the six spot — at the very least for now. He impressed in most defensive metrics (though not all of them) at small soon after successful a Gold Glove at 3rd foundation in 2020. He’s also a a lot more adaptable participant who could shift into a utility part in upcoming seasons if the Yankees’ prized shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe emerges at the major-league degree.

With Correa and Trevor Story continue to on the sector, this thriftier, fielding-targeted approach is certainly not what the big-shelling out Yankees are recognized for. But that standard impulse may nevertheless manifest in a diverse way. Reviews Sunday night time indicated they are even now considering glitzy external solutions at initially foundation which includes Freddie Freeman or a trade for Oakland’s Matt Olson.

If the star free of charge agents land somewhere else and the offense sputters yet again, the anxieties about the Yankees’ modern operate of irritation will get louder.

Do not rely out Donaldson’s possible to be an effects addition. The 36-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, but when he’s on the field he nevertheless often makes stellar batting strains. He hit .247/.352/.475 for the Twins in 2021, crushing 26 homers and logging an altered OPS that was 27% much better than league average. Urshela and Sanchez equally concluded with below-typical batting traces very last time as the Yankees offense strike a perplexing tough patch.

What is the endgame for the chaotic Twins?

Due to the fact the lockout finished Thursday night, the Twins have been furiously remaking a roster that collapsed to a disappointing 73-89 finish in 2021.

Initial, they dealt catcher Mitch Garver to Texas to get Kiner-Falefa, who it appeared they would pair with Donaldson (in a distinctive way) to fill their infield. Then, in a nod towards contending straight away, they despatched their 2021 initially-spherical draft decide on to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday to insert starting pitcher Sonny Gray.

Now they are building a go that doesn’t automatically signal a modify of direction, but does slash the payroll. Sanchez could be an appealing upside enjoy as a designated hitter if they do not power him into normal catching responsibilities — which surface to rest with Ryan Jeffers at the minute.

They could enjoy Jorge Polanco at shortstop, but he thrived at second foundation past season. It can be feasible all the moves have been a kind of misdirection to give them selves the economic posture they want to pursue a even larger fish like Trevor Story. They could also continue to use far more proven pitching solutions if they hope to contend for an AL playoff spot.