SPANISH HARLEM – With the New York Yankees facing off against the Minnesota Twins for the first time since their big trade, it interesting to see how things shaped out for both clubs. Today, I will take a look back at that trade to see how everything looks with 1/3 of the season played.
The Yankees Received Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt
While Rortvedt has been injured since the start of the season, Donaldson and IKF have been an upgrade both, defensively and offensively. Sure, IKF basically brings no power to the linuep, he is someone that has been steady in the field and a good contact hitter at the plate. When you think back at the hole they had at shortstop last season, anything short of that would of been appreciated. IKF is not Corey Seager or Javi Baez or even Carlos Correa but he has filled in admirably. Next to him, Donaldson provided a fearsome bat (even if he isn’t hitting that well at the moment) with good to great defense at 3rd. The Tim Anderson situation, notwithstanding, a good veteran presence in the clubhouse (I’m ready for your comments Mr. Ward).
The Twins Received Gray Sanchez and Gio Urshela
First off, let me just say, I was a big fan of Gio Urshela. He felt like the only contact hitter on a team full of guys that struck out a lot. The analytics people on the Yankees always had him at the bottom of the order when he was the perfect player to sandwich in between guys like Hicks and Sanchez but somehow never was. With Sanchez, my opinions differed from time to time but I knew what to expect from Gary after time. While many fans wanted the Sanchez that rocked the baseball world for two months to show up every at bat, I knew better and came to grips with the type of player he had become. He is definitely in a better situation, being able to catch and DH more often. In a better situation when it comes to fans and media, as New York can be difficult even for the most harden of people.
All in all, the trade helped out both clubs, seeing that the Yankees and Twins are in 1st place in their respective division. Also, who can forget that the Twins were able to sign Carlos Correa with the money freed up by the Yankees trade. This seems like one of those times when both teams got exactly what they wanted.
That’s it for now, come back tomorrow for Different Matt.
