*Photo from SKOR North*
You thought that Isiah Kiner-Falefa was staying with the Minnesota Twins didn't you? Think again. The New York Yankees have acquired Kiner-Falefa, Josh Donaldson, and Ben Rortvedt from the Twins in exchange for C Gary Sanchez and 3B/SS Gio Urshela, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Both teams have confirmed the trade.
After being traded to the Twins and likely being the starting shortstop, Kiner-Falefa is on the move again, this time being shipped to the Bronx. Despite yet another change of scenery, Kiner-Falefa will still be a starting shortstop, as Gleyber Torres was shifted to second base down the stretch, and DJ Lemahieu will likely handle 3rd base.
Last season, Kiner-Falefa had a decent year at the plate, finishing with a .271 batting average and .670 OPS, slugging .357 and hitting 8 home runs, to go along with 53 RBI's, stealing 20 bases in 158 games played for the last place Texas Rangers.
By trading Donaldson, the Yankees agreed to take on the whole contract, so the Twins are no longer on the hook for the two years and $50 million left on his deal. The Twins now have extra money to either continue adding to their pitching staff, or once again pursue a shortstop. Donaldson arrives in New York with lots of pedigree, with 3 straight all star game selections from 2014 to 2016, the 2015 AL MVP award, and two silver sluggers.
Last season in Minnesota, Donaldson posted a .247 batting average and .827 OPS, slugging .475 and hitting 26 home runs, with another 72 RBI's and 26 doubles in 135 games for the Twins, who struggled to a last place finish in the AL Central in 2021.
In the 11 seasons Donaldson has been in the league, he has a .269 batting average and .872 OPS, slugging .505 and hitting 251 home runs, driving in 728 in 1,201 games split between 5 teams. In 39 career playoff games, Donaldson has a .260 average and .760 OPS, with 5 home runs and 16 RBI's across 7 years.
The biggest part of the return for the Twins is Sanchez, who has massive power but struggles with contact and strikes out a good amount. Sanchez finished last season with a .204 batting average and .730 OPS, slugging .423 and hitting 23 home runs, driving in 54 in 117 games behind the plate last season. This is his final season of arbitration before hitting free agency.
Urshela, who will likely become the 3rd baseman in Minnesota, finished 2021 with a .267 average and .720 OPS, mashing 14 home runs, to go along with 49 RBI's, playing in 116 games, while briefly shifting from 3rd base to shortstop last season.
The other part of the return for the Yankees is Rortvedt, who made his big league debut in 2021 with the Twins. In a brief stint, Rortvedt had a .169 batting average and .510 OPS, with 3 home runs, one double, and 7 RBI's in 39 games.
In Minnesota, Sanchez will form a platoon with Ryan Jeffers at the catching spot, while Urshela takes over 3rd base duties. Donaldson becomes the starting 3rd baseman and Kiner-Falefa the starting shortstop in New York. Catching is a question however. Kyle Higashioka, who was Sanchez's backup last season, is returning, with Rortvedt and Rob Brantly to battle for the backup job as things currently stand.
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