The New York Yankees acquired the third baseman Josh Donaldson and to shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Minnesota Twins, in exchange for the catcher Gary Sanchez and the third baseman Gio Urshelathe team announced Sunday night.
The catcher for the Twins, Ben Rortvedtis also heading to New York in the negotiation.
The trade remakes the Yankees’ left side of the infield and frees them from Sanchez, a defensive liability who had slumped at the plate in four straight seasons.
Donaldson, a three-time All-Star and 2015 AL MVP, signed a four-year, $92 million deal with the Twins before the 2020 season. After playing just 28 games in 2020 due to a thigh injury calf, Donaldson bounced back in 2021 to slash .247/.352/.475 with 26 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Donaldson, 36, also has some history with the Yankees ace, Gerrit Cole. He made headlines last season after decrying Cole’s slowing rotation rate following MLB’s crackdown on foreign substances that helped improve pitchers’ grip.
The Twins had just acquired Kiner-Falefa in a trade with the Texas Rangers on Saturday for the catcher. Mitch Garver.
Kiner-Falefa, who turns 27 later this month, was a Gold Glove third baseman during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season but was replaced by the Rangers’ addition of Corey Seager in this off season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa arrive at NY Yankees