Yankees Make Blockbuster Move, Trade Sanchez & Urshela to Twins

After a fairly quiet off-season, the New York Yankees finally made some noise the night before Spring Training "officially" begins by trading away catcher Gary Sanchez and infielder Gio Urshela to the Minnesota Twins for veteran infielders Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

The stunning move took place just before midnight, Sunday night, and it came hours after manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Urshela would be the Yankees starting short stop this season, pouring cold water on rumors the Yankees were still pursuing free agent short stop Carlos Correa. Well, after last night, it is pretty obvious the Yankees are not signing the former Houston Astro to a mega contract.

Donaldson, 36, joins the Yankees as a power-hitting third baseman. He has been well traveled throughout his career with stops in Oakland, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Minnesota. He was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2019 with Atlanta. He is also a three-time All Star and 2015 A.L. MVP. The Yankees are said to be on the hook for the remainder of Donaldson's $50 million contract.

Donaldson has 251 home runs in his career, and hit 41 homers back in 2015 with Toronto. Now back in the AL East, he should see his power numbers increase again after spending a year in spacious Target Field in Minnesota.

Ironically, he comes to the Yankees with some baggage against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Last season when Cole was suspected of using spider tac on his hands, Donaldson was one of Cole's harshest public critics. It will be fascinating to see how those two try to smooth things over.

As for Falefa, the Yankees get a player who is a very sound defensive short stop with a .972 fielding percentage. He is not a big time hitter with a .271/.312/.357 slash line and only eight career home runs, but the Yankees are not asking Falefa to hit homers; they need him to hold the fort at short until Anthony Volpe is ready -- presumably until 2023.

Regarding Sanchez and Urshela, the Yankees had to move on. Sanchez severely underachieved in his time in New York. After bursting into the scene in his first two seasons in 2016 and 2017, Sanchez's offensive production has been on a steady decline, struggling severely to even bat around .200. He also became a defensive liability. Urshela was a very good defensive player at third base for the Yankees last season, and is a solid hitter. His departure is simply the facts of baseball that the Yankees had to give up something in order to get something, which was defensive upgrades at short stop in Falefa and catcher in the 24-year old Rortvedt.

It will be fascinating to see what the Yankees do next.

First base is still considered by many pundits to be a priority for New York. Freddie Freeman and Anthony Rizzo are both available free agents. Luke Voit is the incumbent. Will he be the next dealt? That is a question many are asking.