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  • Twins Trade Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa to Yankees for Sanchez, Urshela


    Nick Nelson

    An eventful weekend receives a stunning final twist. According to multiple reports, the Twins are sending Josh Donaldson and newly-acquired shortstop Isiah Kinfer-Falefa to the New York Yankees in exchange for catcher Gary Sanchez and infielder Gio Urshela.

    Talk about a blockbuster.

    Image courtesy of Wendell Cruz, USA Today Sports

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    Jon Heyman was first to break the news that Gary Sanchez was heading to Minnesota. Jeff Passan quickly followed up with an elaboration: Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are headed to New York in the deal. We soon learned the Twins are also giving up catcher Ben Rortvedt and getting infielder Gio Urshela, who will presumably be the Twins' new third baseman or shortstop. 

    There's a lot going on here, and we'll surely spend the next several days unpacking it, but let's try and wrap our arms around this thing.

    To summarize the move, Yankees get: 3B Josh Donaldson, SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa, C Ben Rortvedt

    Twins get: C/DH Gary Sánchez, 3B/SS Gio Urshela

    It was already a whirlwind weekend before this move. Now the roster has been completely uprooted and transformed over a span of two days.

    Donaldson's presence and salary both looked like odd fits with the Twins seemingly entering a transitional year. Shipping him to the Yankees makes sense in terms of their contention status and spending capabilities. Donaldson also feels like a proper personality fit in the Bronx.

    Kiner-Falefa's inclusion in the deal is stunning. The Twins acquired him from Texas on Saturday in exchange for Mitch Garver. Were they setting up this deal all along? Did the acquisition pique New York's interest? Either way, the brevity of his Minnesota career would make Jaime Garcia blush (he was also instantly flipped to the Yankees in 2017, incidentally).

    Between Garver and now Rortvedt, the Twins have completely wiped out their pre-existing catching depth around Ryan Jeffers.

    However, they added some back in the form of Sánchez, who's coming off two tough seasons but is a two-time All-Star with 138 career home runs at age 29. He's due for free agency after the 2022 season. 

    Urshela, who is two years from free agency (like Kiner-Falefa was) started 28 games at shortstop for the Yankees last year, and 96 at third base. He had started only 13 total games at short in his previous five seasons.

    Do the Twins envision him playing there, with Jose Miranda taking over at third? Or are they clearing salary room for Trevor Story? This feels like a stepping stone to something else. For now, it feels confusing and pretty overwhelming.

    Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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    Pretty hard to believe ANYTHING coming out of the piehole of Falvey after he gushed over the talent that Kiner-Falefa was bringing in as the starting SS.  Totally asinine to take on Sanchez even if for only 1 season.  Unless this deal results in the signing of Trevor Story, this deal should result in Falvey being fired.  Pohlad is also to blame.  This, as it stands tonight, is just plain horrible.

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    53 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

    If it is, then I'm in. Otherwise, I don't know what's going on. If this is all salary savings, then the FO will deserve all the grief it will get. But I'll try to reserve judgment until we're done?

    Exactly!  This trade caught me off guard if we sign Story then I apologize to Falvey and Levine for not trusting you! Although at this time I prefer the players we started with. But with the added flexibility we get Story or Correa then blam nice off-season.

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    We traded away our present premier and near future LH hitting premier catchers together with our recent premier SS. I couldn't believe it. It only makes sense if Sanchez bats LH and they are going after Story.

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    "Donaldson's presence and salary both looked like odd fits with the Twins seemingly entering a transitional year. Shipping him to the Yankees makes sense in terms of their contention status and spending capabilities. Donaldson also feels like a proper personality fit in the Bronx." - Nick Nelson

    What does this mean? Dis Donaldson do something wrong? Are the Twins going below $100 million for their roster budgets? Is their roster incapable of competing in the AL Central? JD competes, he is a winner. Are these qualities anathema in Minnesota? I'm very confused by this paragraph Nick and I like your writing.

    I am waiting out the maneuvers currently in motion beneath the baton of Falvey, but it is clear that whatever notions Twins fans had in their collective heads, the FO had different ideas. Hopefully, all of these moves will result in a competitive team. While not enamored with the trade with Texas, I liked the trade with the Reds. This current trade is bewildering though. Sanchez can't catch or really hit too often and Urshela is a decent utility player. We shall see what happens but JD had star power and there isn't anyone like him available.

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    I'm not sure how this all works out, but I am patient enough to wait for the push to find out.

    Having said that, I wish they wouldn't do this stuff late on a Sunday night.  After reading these stories, I get a headache and need a drink, but I have to work in the morning.  Please be more considerate with your timing, Falvine!

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    At this point I am bewildered, and I think maybe the best thing to do is to wait until the dust settles and the roster is actually finalized before passing judgment.  The Twins now have Sanchez's payroll coming off the books next year so they basically have a Pirates-level payroll committed at this point.

    If the Twins blow our minds and sign Correa tomorrow, that would certainly change the team substantially.  Not holding my breath, but they certainly can afford it now! 

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    WAIT A MINUTE - we were sitting in suspense for 100 lockout days for this craziness?  Let's just trade everyone for a 2B.  We won't be any good, but the depth chart at 2B will be amazing.  Bill James has Sonny Gray rated the 42nd SP and he is now our Ace and everyone is excited because we "only" gave up Petty.  This is amazing.  Bleacher report had Garver number 14 among catchers and Sanchez 22 - a step backwards there.  I need some good news. 

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    17 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

    "Donaldson's presence and salary both looked like odd fits with the Twins seemingly entering a transitional year. ..." - Nick Nelson

    Are the Twins going below $100 million for their roster budgets?

    Yeah, that part...I guess I can see how an aging veteran on a big contract might be somewhat in the way with a new wave of talent coming up, but Donaldson's salary was not onerous. He's still productive, and as long as he's productive the Twins absolutely could have afforded to keep paying him.

    I'm curious what they might be clearing salary for, but not yet feeling optimistic that it will be a net improvement.

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    Urshela is a good utility infielder, not a shortstop. The Yankees used him at short in desperation and because they could score 10 runs per game. Urshela would actually be a really good player to have as a bench player. I'm not sure how that affects others, like Arraez or Miranda. Arraez may be the new third base fielder.

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    Well this has certainly been interesting after the Twins doing nothing to start and then the lockout. 

    There has to be another couple moves coming.

    They need to fill

    SS - I will riot if its Polanco, Lewis/ Martin aren't stepping into that role quickly if ever, Urshela isn't really an option either.

    A top of the rotation spot - Nobody to sign unless you are ok with a 3 at best (Greinke/ Pineda/ Cueto?)  Gotta trade for someone.

    A back end reliever (really 2 of them)

    3rd base - This could be Urshela/ Arraez/ Miranda/ Sano?

    Find a spot for Kirilloff - Sano to DH or 3rd?  Kepler trade?

     

     

     

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