Josh Donaldson

The Yankees rebuilt half their infield in one swing last night in a move that left the fanbase conflicted.

It was a crazy whirlwind of a night for sure. Reactions were, as you might expect, mixed, as the fans have invested a lot of energy and love (and frustration) into these two over the past few years, and both players have had big moments in pinstripes. Where was the movement on the hot stove?

The Yankees bolster their infield by acquiring 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the Twins for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.

Donaldson, 36, is a three-time All-Star who hit 41 homers and drove in 123 runs for the A's in 2015, when he won MVP honors. Sanchez, the runner-up for AL rookie of the year honors in 2016, is a two-time All-Star and could take over behind the plate for the Twins, who traded starting catcher Mitch Garver to Texas last week in a deal for Kiner-Falefa. The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins have agreed to a five-player trade that will bring former AL MVP Josh Donaldson to the Bronx.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees have reconfigured their infield in a blockbuster trade, acquiring third baseman Josh Donaldson and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa ...

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feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.7":{"slug":"yahoo-fantasy","title":"Yahoo Fantasy","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.10.tags.8":{"slug":"1-yahoo-fantasy-feed","title":"1-Yahoo Fantasy Feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.11":{"content":"Sánchez’s departure raises a question about the Yankees’ starting catcher situation, hinting at another move potentially to follow. \n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550,"__typename":"ExternalEmbedContent"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12":{"data":{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.12.data","typename":"ExternalEmbedContent"},"type":"oembed","__typename":"ExternalEmbed"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.13":{"content":"Manager Aaron Boone touted Urshela earlier on Sunday as the Yankees’ likely Opening Day shortstop, though he hedged that by saying that the landscape could change quickly. He is set to earn $6.55 million this season after batting .267/.301/.419 with 18 doubles, two triples, 14 homers and 49 RBIs in 116 games last year. ,"type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.14.data":{"html":" The fastest player in American League history to 100 home runs in terms of games played, Sánchez’s defense was a hot-button issue with club officials, who were split the last few seasons about continuing with him behind the plate. Earlier in the offseason, the Yankees had been connected to Kiner-Falefa, who turns 27 later this month and won a Gold Glove Award at third base in 2020. Manager Aaron Boone touted Urshela earlier on Sunday as the Yankees’ likely Opening Day shortstop, though he hedged that by saying that the landscape could change quickly. ,"type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8":{"contentDate":"2021-06-08T22:54:02.024Z","description":"Gerrit Cole addresses Josh Donaldson's comments regarding sticky substances and his pitching","duration":"00:01:18","slug":"cole-on-donaldson-sticky-hands","source":null,"tags":[{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.0","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.1","typename":"Tag"},{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.2","typename":"Tag"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/wytoi9jopljh0wfofqp9","title":"Cole on Donaldson, sticky hands","type":"video","url":"/video/cole-on-donaldson-sticky-hands","__typename":"Video"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.0":{"slug":"teamid-147","title":"New York Yankees","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.1":{"slug":"playerid-543037","title":"Gerrit Cole","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.8.tags.2":{"slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed","__typename":"Tag"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.9":{"content":"Kiner-Falefa’s stay with Minnesota lasted mere hours (officially 35 hours and four minutes, to be exact), having been dealt to the Twins by the Rangers on Saturday in exchange for catcher Mitch Garver.\n\nEarlier in the offseason, the Yankees had been connected to Kiner-Falefa, who turns 27 later this month and won a Gold Glove Award at third base in 2020. That is subject to change -- the Yankees are interested in acquiring a first baseman, having discussed a Matt Olson trade with the Athletics while also being connected to free agents Freddie Freeman and Anthony Rizzo. That is subject to change -- the Yankees are interested in acquiring a first baseman, having discussed a Matt Olson trade with the Athletics while also being connected to free agents Freddie Freeman and Anthony Rizzo.\n\nDonaldson, 36, is a three-time All-Star (2014-16) and two-time Silver Slugger (2015-16) who won the 2015 American League MVP Award while playing for the Blue Jays. 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New York will also acquire catcher Ben Rortvedt in the deal, with no money changing hands between the clubs. \n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550,"__typename":"ExternalEmbedContent"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.4":{"data":{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.4.data","typename":"ExternalEmbedContent"},"type":"oembed","__typename":"ExternalEmbed"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"josh-donaldson-traded-to-yankees-gary-sanchez-to-twins\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.5":{"content":"New York’s infield now projects to feature DJ LeMahieu or Luke Voit at first base, Torres at second base, Kiner-Falefa at shortstop and Donaldson at third base.

Nine months after putting Gerrit Cole squarely in the crosshairs of MLB's crackdown on sticky substances, Josh Donaldson is about to share a clubhouse with ...

That night — the game Donaldson referenced — Cole’s spin rates went down noticeably as he got knocked around by the Rays. “Is it coincidence that Gerrit Cole’s spin rate numbers went down [Thursday] after four minor leaguers got suspended for 10 games?” the third baseman told Minnesota reporters. “That’s him and his camp.

The New York Yankees acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt Sunday in a trade with the Minnesota ...

His138 career HR are fifth-most by a player through 538 career games, trailing only Ryan Howard (163), Aaron Judge (147), Eddie Mathews (141) and Ralph Kiner (140). The Santo Domingo, D.R., native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2009. On November 28, 2014, Donaldson was acquired by Toronto from Oakland in exchange for INF Brett Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman, LHP Sean Nolin and INF Franklin Barreto. He was then acquired by Cleveland with cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays on August 31, 2018. He was just acquired by the Twins on Saturday along with minor league right-handed pitcher Ronny Henriquez in exchange for catcher Mitch Garver. It seemed like it was time for Sanchez to move on and for the Yankees to revamp that infield.” Rortvedt, 24, saw his first Major League action in 2021, batting .169/229/.281 (15-for-89) with 8R 1 double, 3 home runs and 7RBI in 39 games played, including 28 starts. He was originally signed by Cleveland as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2008. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. “Gary Sanchez going to the Minnesota Twins along with Gio Urshela and Sanchez is going to become the catcher in Minnesota. The change of scenery may prove to be huge for him. He also had the highest batting average among Rangers’ qualifiers, while leading Major League Baseball with 136 singles. Previously invited to the last three spring trainings by Minnesota, he was named best defensive catcher in the Twins minor league system by Baseball America following the 2019 season. He is going to thrive in New York because he has a level of grit that Yankees fans I think are going to love. The right-field porch for him is going to come into play in a great way.

This one surprises me. The Yankees and Twins make a deal. Going to the Yankees: Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt.

He played 39 games for the Twins last year, hitting .169/.229/.281. The Yankees’ hair rules might be an issue for him. Rortvedt is a catcher. Donaldson is owed $21.75 million for the next two seasons, with an option for 2024 at $16 million and an $8 million buyout. Urshela had a rough time with the Blue Jays but had two excellent seasons with the Yankees and then didn’t do well last year, hitting .267/.301/.419. He has a pretty good glove at third. The Yankees and Twins make a deal.

The New York Yankees have acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt from the Minnesota Twins in exchange ...

He had eight last season, when pitchers threw 60 wild pitches with Sanchez behind the plate, a career high. After trading their largest contract, the Twins could be setting themselves up to make a run at another high-profile, high-dollar player. Now 36, he hit .247 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs last year in his second season with the Twins. New York was looking to add a shortstop after shifting Gleyber Torres to second base on Sept. 13 for the remainder of the season. Kiner-Falefa is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season. The Yankees become responsible for Donaldson's $21 million salary in each of the next two seasons plus a $16 million mutual option for 2024 with a $6 million buyout if declined by the team.

The deal also includes shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Gio Urshela.

Urshela, 30, hit .267/.301/.419 (96 OPS+) with 14 homers and 49 RBI last season. With the trade of Sánchez, Kyle Higashioka moves into the starting catcher role in the Bronx. Luke Voit is in the picture for first base and DH at-bats, while Stanton obviously fills the DH spot a good amount of the time. On the Twins' end, Sánchez immediately moves into the starting catching role, which had been filled on a part-time basis by Mitch Garver the last three seasons. He appears to be slotted, at least for the time being, as the Yankees' backup catcher. Urshela has been the Yankees' starting third baseman for most of the last three seasons when healthy.

The Yankees acquired Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela. This is a deal that has thrown many, including ...

The Yankees have never been thrilled with Gary Sanchez’s ability behind the plate and they’ve finally moved on. Earlier today, Aaron Boone came out and said that Gio Urshela was the Yanks shortstop. We have some breaking New York Yankees news this evening.

Josh Donaldson is on the move to the Bronx in a headliner deal. The New York Yankees.

Sanchez is a two-time All-Star who won a Silver Slugger in 2017 and has four seasons with 20 or more home runs. The bottom fell out on the 2019 and 2020 AL Central champions, though, as the team finished last at 73-89 in 2021. In 2015, Donaldson won the American League MVP en route to leading the Jays to an AL East title and AL Championship Series appearance. Kiner-Falefa is a slick-fielding infielder who can play multiple positions. He finished fourth in the MVP voting in 2016 when the Jays made a return trip to the ALCS. He hit .247 (.827 OPS) with 26 home runs and 72 RBI in 135 games for the Twins last year.

Former Toronto Blue Jays MVP Josh Donaldson will return to the American League East in a trade to the New York Yankees, per reports.

Donaldson played parts of four seasons with the Blue Jays from 2015 to 2018, leading Toronto to two playoff appearances while receiving MVP votes three times. The veteran also swapped jerseys with Vlad Guerrero Jr. after a game. In 249 career games at Rogers Centre—a park the Yankees will visit nine times in 2022—Donaldson has 65 homers and a .967 OPS. The hot corner received a standing ovation from Blue Jays fans during his latest visit to Toronto during the 2021 season.

The New York Yankees acquired veteran third baseman Josh Donaldson from the Minnesota Twins on Sunday night. Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher ...

Sanchez, 29, is a two-time All-Star but batted just .204 last season and .147 in 2020. The Twins reportedly wanted to dump Donaldson’s contract. But I understand that this topic is important to everybody that cares about the game,” Cole said. I have other things that I just need to keep my focus on.” “Is it coincidence that Gerrit Cole’s spin rate numbers went down (Thursday) after four minor leaguers got suspended for 10 games,” Donaldson said. “Is that possible?

The Bombers acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson from the Twins for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.

In 2021, he hit .247 with 26 homers and 72 RBI in 135 games with the Twins. The Yankees also got catcher Ben Rortvedt, a highly thought of catcher who was the Twins second-round draft pick in 2016. He is a career .265/.316/.670 career hitter with 16 home runs in 392 big league games. He was just acquired by the Twins the day before in a deal that sent catcher Mitch Garver to the Rangers. Swanson was brought in in 2019 to try and help Sanchez behind the plate. The 36-year old is a career 269/.367/.505 hitter with 251 home runs in 1,201 career games over 11 Major League seasons. Rortvedt worked with Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson in the Twins organization. And he struggled with the stats that drive fans wild. The Bombers acquired former MVP third baseman Josh Donaldson and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a deal that sent Sanchez and Gio Urshela to the Twins late Sunday night. So.Kiner-Falefa, a player the Yankees have long been tied to, solves the Yankees’ first problem of the 2022 season. Now, they have Torres and Donaldson in those spots. Now, the Yankees have to sort out their infield.

The Bronx Bombers' quiet offseason has come to an abrupt end, as the Yankees and Twins have combined on a blockbuster of a five-player deal.

While Urshela has some experience as a shortstop, it seems much more likely that he’ll take Donaldson’s spot at third base, as the hot corner is Urshela’s usual position and he has shown himself to be a very solid defender. Jorge Polanco could move back to shortstop in a pinch but the Twins prefer him as a second baseman going forward. The scope of this deal would seem to hint that at least one notable follow-up move will be coming, as the Twins now again need to address a shortstop void that Kiner-Falefa had seemingly filled. However, Urshela ran into some health issues himself this past season, missing time amidst a COVID-19 outbreak in the New York clubhouse and then a left hamstring strain. Assuming the Twins do indeed plan to keep Sanchez, he’ll pair with Ryan Jeffers (a more defensive-minded catcher) as Garver’s replacement. Sanchez still makes plenty of hard contact, but just making that contact has been a persistent issue, as Sanchez has been one of the game’s more strikeout-prone hitters for five seasons running. However, Sanchez has produced average-to-mediocre numbers in three of the last four years, leading to speculation this past fall that Sanchez could even be a non-tender candidate. The 36-year-old’s production hasn’t declined much since those years in Toronto, as while injury concerns have cropped up as Donaldson has gotten deeper into his 30s, Donaldson is still a dangerous bat. Again, it isn’t out of the question that the aggressive Yankees could make another move to add a more proven veteran to the catching mix. The Bronx Bombers’ quiet offseason has come to an abrupt end, as the Yankees and Twins have combined on a blockbuster of a five-player deal. Payroll-wise, the Yankees take on Donaldson’s $50MM, the projected $4.9MM for Kiner-Falefa’s 2022 salary, and Rortvedt’s minimum salary. The DH spot is also a possibility to give at-bats to players, depending on how much outfield time Giancarlo Stanton can handle.

Well, that was unexpected. At 10:30pm Eastern on Sunday night, the Yankees cut ties with a former top prospect, rebuilt their infield, and engineered ...

He’s pegged to be the fourth best hitter in the lineup, behind Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Joey Gallo, and critical to the construction of this lineup, projected to strike out less than all three of those guys. Now’s the time to make one more move, maybe trade for Matt Olson with a fully stocked farm or really pursue Freddie Freeman. DJ LeMahieu becomes a true utility player again, and both he and IKF can cover the infield on rest days and when Donaldson, who did miss time last year with calf problems, needs a half day off. I think there’s a narrative that Donaldson is washed up, because he’s not tormenting the Yankees 18 times a season like he did with the Blue Jays. During his last three seasons, he’s hit to the tune of a 130 wRC+, and is projected to hover around 124 this season. He’s one of an elite class of avant garde hitters, the Joey Vottos and José Bautistas, to understand what Ted Williams preached 70 years ago: swing up to meet the ball on a plane, and drive it as hard, in the air, as you possibly can. No player this side of Alex Rodriguez generated the hype, heroics, and condemnation that Gary Sánchez did in parts of six seasons in the Bronx. From his breakout, Babe Ruth-level dominance and his establishment of himself as a top catcher in all of baseball in 2017, to a disastrous 2020, you could always count on him to make some kind of headline. Rarely in the history of this game has one man’s adjustments and attitude so profoundly influenced the way we view hitting.

The deal also includes shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa, heading to the Yankees.

Urshela, 30, hit .267/.301/.419 (96 OPS+) with 14 homers and 49 RBI last season. With the trade of Sánchez, Kyle Higashioka moves into the starting catcher role in the Bronx. Luke Voit is in the picture for first base and DH at-bats, while Stanton obviously fills the DH spot a good amount of the time. On the Twins' end, Sánchez immediately moves into the starting catching role, which had been filled on a part-time basis by Mitch Garver the last three seasons. He appears to be slotted, at least for the time being, as the Yankees' backup catcher. Urshela has been the Yankees' starting third baseman for most of the last three seasons when healthy.

The Yankees acquired Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the Twins in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.

After a dreadful 2020 season, in which he hit .147/.253/.365, Sanchez had also been a shadow of his former self at the plate. Rortvedt, 24, made his major league debut in 2021, batting .169/229/.281 with three home runs and seven RBIs in 39 games played. He posted a .972 fielding percentage at the position, leading big league shortstops in total chances (669), assists (436) and double plays turned (98). In Donaldson, 36, the Yankees acquired a three-time All-Star, 2015 AL MVP and two-time AL Silver Slugger Award winner. "The fact that they couldn't make a spot for me was really tough," Kiner-Falefa told reporters. Earlier in the day, Yankees manager Aaron Boone had announced Urshela as the Yankees' starting shortstop.

The Yankees acquired former-MVP Josh Donaldson, along with shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Ben Rortvedt in a trade with the Twins.

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The Yankees and Twins struck a deal late Sunday night, swapping Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Urshela also dealt with a hamstring issue for most of last August. Kiner-Falefa led all MLB shortstops last year in total chances, assists and double plays turned. Urshela, 30, is a defensive whiz at third base and a reliable shortstop in a pinch. A right-handed hitter, Kiner-Falefa slashed .271/.312/.357 in 158 games in 2021, with eight homers, 53 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 25 attempts – a needed element in the Yanks’ largely station-to-station lineup. A gifted defender, Kiner-Falefa now fills the void at shortstop and likely finishes any speculation about Carlos Correa or Trevor Story - the top remaining free agents at the position - landing in the Bronx. Ending a long, dormant pinstriped winter, the Yanks sent Sanchez and infielder Gio Urshela to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for infielders Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson, and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

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A three-year deal is a little surprising for a pitcher who has so far compiled a 5.39 ERA in his career, but Kikuchi showed everyone how good he could be with a 3.18 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in his first 15 starts last year. As for Kiner-Falefa, he's in line to take over as the Twins' primary shortstop, though he was already poised to play every day with the Rangers, who now have a hole to fill at third base. Because the power is mostly to his pull side, the move to Yankee Stadium doesn't change much for him, but he's in a better lineup now. An ERA in the mid-threes is more likely than a repeat of last year's, but with a comparatively low WHIP. Here's betting he'll still be well worth a mid-round pick. It's a curious move for the Nationals, who looked to be in full sell-off mode last season, and a curious move for Cruz, who's signing with a non-contender for only a guaranteed $15 million. The 31-year-old has hit .271 with a .901 OPS since joining the Yankees in 2018, homering at a better rate than Matt Olson during that stretch, but an injury last year opened the door to the Yankees replacing him. It's more of the uppercut we're used to seeing here that the flatter swings more common in the Far East, and it resulted in some long home runs in the NPB. He'll face the usual challenges, such as adapting to higher velocity, but his exceptional plate discipline should give him a leg up there. The 38-year-old goes back to where it all began, back to the organization where he won his lone Cy Young award in 2009, and to the extent that venue matters to a ground ball-generating control artist like him, this is clearly an upgrade. The rich get richer with the acquisition of the best pure hitter on the free agent market, who surprisingly didn't return to the Braves. Freeman was already in a loaded lineup and a perfectly adequate park for his skill set, but you could argue he's in an even better spot now. For more on what his ceiling could be and what his arrival does to the rest of the Dodgers lineup, check out my full-length article. The Twins weren't thought to be a serious contender for Correa's services but swooped in with a clever offer that apparently won him over. It's a big ballpark the World Series MVP heads to, but remember, his 48-homer season (2019) came in Kansas City. He has the sort of power that should translate anywhere, placing in the 83rd percentile for average exit velocity last year and the 99th percentile for maximum exit velocity.

New York dealt two starters to Minnesota in order to acquire the former AL MVP and two other players.

Sanchez, 28, is coming off of another difficult year in the Big Apple. Although much improved from a dreadful 2020 campaign, the veteran catcher posted just a .204 batting average with 23 home runs and 54 RBI in 2021. Rortvedt, 24, badly struggled in his 96 plate appearances last season, his first in the majors, and would appear to be a backup catcher candidate. With the start of spring training quickly approaching, the Yankees and the Twins have agreed to a blockbuster deal that will send catcher Gary Sánchez and third baseman Gio Urshela to Minnesota in exchange for veteran third baseman Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt, the team announced Sunday.

The Yankees also receive shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and catcher Ben Rortvedt as part of the deal, according to the source.

Mar 11 Sánchez, 29, signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 2009. Last season, he hit .247 with 72 RBIs and 26 home runs in 136 games.