Assessing the Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa Trade With the Yankees

[Ted Schwerzler]

Just when you thought the Twins had done enough this weekend to keep us on our toes, Derek Falvey went ahead and blew the roof off. A blockbuster with the Yankees started as Jon Heyman suggested a catcher was coming to Minnesota. Then the bomb dropped that Josh Donaldson was moving, and things got crazy.

Another deal in which the player totals aren’t even; the Twins sent the additional talent this time. Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt are going to New York. In exchange, Minnesota gets catcher Gary Sanchez and third basemen Gio Urshela.
 
There’s no level of this deal that shouldn’t make your head spin, so let’s break it down into smaller pieces.
 
Third Base
This is straightforward. Josh Donaldson is moved off the position, and Minnesota is no longer on the hook for his contract's remaining $50 million. Set to make $21.75 million in 2022, a team with something like $35 million in payroll flexibility just pushed that number over $50 million. Donaldson wound up playing just 163 games across two seasons with Minnesota. The shortened pandemic season didn’t help the longevity, but his nagging calf issues were present the first season. 

There was never a reason why the Twins should’ve considered a cash dump regarding Donaldson and his salary. Still playing at a high level in 2022, any move needed to come with a certain level of return. Ultimately, that’s what ended up happening.

Gio Urshela debuted with Cleveland back in 2015 but posted just a .587 OPS through his first 148 Major League games. After a short stint in Toronto, he wound up in New York, and boy did Gio arrive in a big way. During 2019 Urshela posted an .889 OPS with 21 homers. He all but replicated that in 2020 before lacking power production last season. His 96 OPS+ basically was league average, however, and he’s just 30-years-old. He’s not the defensive stalwart Donaldson is at the hot corner, but he’s hardly a butcher either.
 
What Urshela does offer is an easier path to playing time for the likes of Jose Miranda. Should the newly acquired piece continue to decline or start slow, Minnesota won’t hesitate to promote the 2021 standout prospect. Urshela is owed just $6.55M this season, and Miranda will get his opportunity to push for playing time at the hot corner. This is also another area that Luis Arraez could contribute.
 
Shortstop
Minnesota had its Opening Day shortstop for something like 35 hours. After acquiring Kiner-Falefa, he was sent to New York, who has been tied to the biggest names at the position. Kiner-Falefa was basically a replica of Andrelton Simmons, minus the weirdness, and now Falvey will go back on the hunt there.

Urshela has accumulated just over 200 innings at shortstop, but he shouldn’t be considered an option there. Jorge Polanco is not moving back across the diamond, which again turns us back to the market. With so much cash while both Carlos Correa and Trevor Story are still on the market, there’s reasonable speculation that Minnesota could have their sights set there. Both presumably want long-term contracts, and neither Royce Lewis nor Austin Martin are slam dunks to remain at short.
 
Catcher
A former All-Star and Silver Slugger, Gary Sanchez joins the Twins as a backup for Ryan Jeffers. He’s not good defensively, and his bat has been lost since 2019, but maybe Minnesota can turn it around for the 29-year-old. Sanchez has solid on-base skills and does show a good amount of discipline in the box. His power potential is immense, with two 30+ home run seasons to his credit, but the key will be finding consistency.

If it wasn’t apparent when the Twins dealt Mitch Garver, it’s certainly clear now that they’ve leaned all the way into Jeffers as their regular. Ben Rortvedt also went to the Yankees, and he’d be considered the most well-rounded defender of that trio. Jeffers obviously has made enough strides to feel comfort in pairing him with Sanchez, and there shouldn’t be an emphasis on splitting time evenly.
 
Removing Donaldson opened up a rotational designated hitter spot for Minnesota, but it should be immediately accounted for by Sanchez, who will see regular starts there as well. It’s clear that Minnesota has solidified their plan at catcher, however.
 
This was a huge move, the second of the day for Minnesota. Now with so much payroll flexibility and an arrow pointed towards competing, there’s no guessing how crazy this front office will get next.

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
— Latest Twins coverage from our writers
— Recent Twins discussion in our forums
— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email

View full article

[Linus]

It shouldn’t be overlooked that each of these moves reduces payroll. This might be the most obvious rationale. I also want to point out that Falvine signed Donaldson to that moronic contract that put us in this position. 

[RpR]

Twins will be in the basement again this year.

[tony&rodney]

Best analysis and article on this so far - very fair. Synopsis - we won't know anything until the envelopes are all opened. Anything could happen but it is a strange March. The Twins are thin at catcher, need a shortstop, leftfielder, and some relief pitching. Oh, and there is still the most glaring hole - starting pitching. Hold on for the ride. This Yankee trade was crazy by itself.

[Andrew Sudbeck]

There is no way this is the end of the moves. I just hope the front office isn’t trying to get too fancy and get burnt. I’m confident there will be a new short stop and another SP on our roster soon. If they were just trying to tear things down and dump money they wouldn’t have traded Petty for Gray. I don’t think Sanchez will stay on our roster, but if he does it’s only a one year commitment and he can serve as a backup and platoon DH. 

[RpR]

OK. let's see, we trade a shortstop, who was an excellent defender like Simmons, but batted .271 with 53 rbi of which 45 were not by a home run, for catch who has negative defense numbers, batted .204, with 54 rbi of which 31 were not by home run.

Well at least we do not have to deal with Simmons 92 hit and .223 batting average as Sanchez, 78 hits and .204 are such an improvement and the fact he has double digit negative defense numbers, well who needs defense.

[Mike Sixel]

Where exactly can they spend all this flexibility? 

[RpR]

48 minutes ago, Andrew Sudbeck said:

There is no way this is the end of the moves.

Yeah, I wonder if Buxton will not demand to be traded.

[Heiny]

There will be more moves.  I see Story coming in as SS.  I also see the Twins making a big move for a top of the rotation SP.  This is the only way any of this makes sense.  Gotta go now, the battery on my chrystal ball is dying.  More later.

[Andrew Sudbeck]

There are already reports the Twins are making a push at Story

[glunn]

Hopefully the Twins will use the savings on a free agent shortstop.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/minnesota-twins

 

[Nashvilletwin]

I guess this is what it took to move JD and have the Yankees take all his salary. Too bad the FO couldn’t have found another deal. Ideally, they would have just moved JD and signed Story (which I’m assuming they are going to do now). Urshela helps Miranda ease in, but, if that transition is successful, there is no reason for Urshela to be on the team - so he’d get moved at the trade deadline.

Decimating the catching depth is very confusing. Sanchez is just not very good anymore - certainly not as good as Garver and, if his hitting continues its deterioration, I’d rather have Rortvedt as well. The Yankee sites are saying that Rortvedt will platoon at C - so someone there had enough respect for his game to not only carry him on the roster, but feed him plenty of innings.

Again, getting a couple of has beens who carry some cash costs and we hope will rebound or otherwise we will jettison is a pretty high cost to pay to move JD’s salary and give up a couple very solid depth catchers.

Signing Story will help, but couldn’t we have just done that anyway?

So a year from now (or maybe next week or by the trade deadline) if everything goes as likely will happen, Miranda will be at 3B, Story will be at SS, Urshela and Sanchez will be gone, the Twins will be looking for catching depth, and will some extra cash on hand. Not a disaster, but sure will be a roundabout way to get there. 

 

[h2oface]

"His 96 OPS+ basically was league average, however, and he’s just 30-years-old. He’s not the defensive stalwart Donaldson is at the hot corner, but he’s hardly a butcher either."

Just 30. Inference that Ushela is youngish, but many were considering Garver over the hill at just turned 31. Hmmmmm.

[h2oface]

13 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

I guess this is what it took to move JD and have the Yankees take all his salary. Too bad the FO couldn’t have found another deal. Ideally, they would have just moved JD and signed Story (which I’m assuming they are going to do now). Urshela helps Miranda ease in, but, if that transition is successful, there is no reason for Urshela to be on the team - so he’d get moved at the trade deadline.

Decimating the catching depth is very confusing. Sanchez is just not very good anymore - certainly not as good as Garver and, if his hitting continues its deterioration, I’d rather have Rortvedt as well. The Yankee sites are saying that Rortvedt will platoon at C - so someone there had enough respect for his game to not only carry him on the roster, but feed him plenty of innings.

Again, getting a couple of has beens who carry some cash costs and we hope will rebound or otherwise we will jettison is a pretty high cost to pay to move JD’s salary and give up a couple very solid depth catchers.

Signing Story will help, but couldn’t we have just done that anyway?

So a year from now (or maybe next week or by the trade deadline) if everything goes as likely will happen, Miranda will be at 3B, Story will be at SS, Urshela and Sanchez will be gone, the Twins will be looking for catching depth, and will some extra cash on hand. Not a disaster, but sure will be a roundabout way to get there. 

 

And Garver will be hittng 40 dingers for Texas.

[h2oface]

1 hour ago, glunn said:

Hopefully the Twins will use the savings on a free agent shortstop.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/minnesota-twins

 

.... because..... who needs pitching, anyway.

[glunn]

6 minutes ago, h2oface said:

.... because..... who needs pitching, anyway.

Hopefully they can get both.

[The Mad King]

This was odd to wake up to... 

[Einheri]

1 hour ago, The Mad King said:

This was odd to wake up to... 

Even odder to go to sleep considering.

[miracleb]

wait...Sonny Gray as well??  And give up Chase Petty?

[Whitey333]

I like the fact we are not stagnant.  Rumors are strong that salary was moved to be able to sign a player or two.  I hope that's the case and that these moves aren't just a salary dump.  We still need more pitching and apparently a shortstop.  I saw a rumor on MLB that twins had already signed story but are waiting results of a physical.  Some of those same reports indicate he may need tommy John in the future due to elbow injuries.  Just a lot of rumors I guess.  Also a rumor twins have no interest in keeping Sanchez and may flip him in another trade.  Whatever happens it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

[miracleb]

H2O...your link says the Twin got Sonny Gray as well!
 

Hopefully the Twins will use the savings on a free agent shortstop.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/minnesota-twins

[JDubs]

4 hours ago, h2oface said:

Just 30. Inference that Ushela is youngish, but many were considering Garver over the hill at just turned 31. Hmmmmm.

It's almost as if there's a difference between the most physically demanding position in the game and a spot where you can park people who aren't that athletic

[MinnInPa]

5 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

I guess this is what it took to move JD and have the Yankees take all his salary. Too bad the FO couldn’t have found another deal. Ideally, they would have just moved JD and signed Story (which I’m assuming they are going to do now). Urshela helps Miranda ease in, but, if that transition is successful, there is no reason for Urshela to be on the team - so he’d get moved at the trade deadline.

Decimating the catching depth is very confusing. Sanchez is just not very good anymore - certainly not as good as Garver and, if his hitting continues its deterioration, I’d rather have Rortvedt as well. The Yankee sites are saying that Rortvedt will platoon at C - so someone there had enough respect for his game to not only carry him on the roster, but feed him plenty of innings.

Again, getting a couple of has beens who carry some cash costs and we hope will rebound or otherwise we will jettison is a pretty high cost to pay to move JD’s salary and give up a couple very solid depth catchers.

Signing Story will help, but couldn’t we have just done that anyway?

So a year from now (or maybe next week or by the trade deadline) if everything goes as likely will happen, Miranda will be at 3B, Story will be at SS, Urshela and Sanchez will be gone, the Twins will be looking for catching depth, and will some extra cash on hand. Not a disaster, but sure will be a roundabout way to get there. 

 

Rortvedt gone..good riddance..having him in the lineup is like having the pitchers hitting in the NL. Yes, he's good defensively..but cant hit .200.. Hopefully all this leads to getting a top SS...and i see it as a money move  + a way to get Miranda up sooner. Arraez has to play every day too...this frees up some time at 3B, LF, DH, 2B for him in a rotation

[The Mad King]

Now that I've had a little time to process, the end result of two trades

We downgraded at catcher 

We downgraded at 3rd 

We still have no SS....

Yeah there better be more moves coming.

 

 

 

[Trov]

The second I saw this trade I said they are going hard after Story.  Then I saw shortly after, that Twins are inquiring about Story.  I wondered if the trade was planned when they traded with Texas, or after, Yankees came calling and Twins just went with it.  Essentially, they traded Garver, Donaldson, and Rortvelt for Sanchez and Urschella.  They saved some money on Donaldson to hopefully move on someone else.  If they do not bring in Story, who I have been against for anything longer than 4 years, then I have no clue what team is doing.  

[roger]

Unlike many, I really liked the deal that brought K-F here.  Loved his defense, speed and the fact he got on base, albeit with singles.  Loved the fact we finally had a shortstop who appeared to want to be with the Twins.

Loved the deal that brought Gray over, even if the cost was Petty.  In the big picture, the best use of #1 picks taken late in the first round may be to flip them after a year in the organization.  Works well especially if there is a boatload of top prospects at the same position who are near ready.

Absolutely hate the Yankee trade, which I consider to be a HUGE loss for the Twins.  We gave up that defensive shortstop and again have a big hole at the most important infield position.  Have never liked Sanchez, who seems to be injured more than Donaldson (I don't know if that is true, just seems like it to me).  And our catching depth and defense took a huge hit when Rortvedt was included, who I believe will become the Yankee's regular catcher for the next decade.  

Yes, there is now a ton of money available.  Will they use it to sign a shortstop...there are two available?  And what will they do for catching depth, both this year and beyond?  We all think they need at least one more starting pitcher.  Well after late last night they also need a shortstop and catcher.  Was really happy when I went to bed.  Flat out threw up when reading the Strib over breakfast.

I pray that they aren't done and there will be at least three more deals (sign a shortstop, sign/trade for a young catcher, and sign/trade for another starting pitcher) today and tomorrow, please!

[mikelink45]

I hope the Story dream comes true and that he is able to duplicate his success without Coors field.  But we had enough money to sign him without all these moves.  I am just waiting to see this all come together in some masterful chess move that puts us over the top or not!

[AceWrigley]

My crazy hunch here is we're lining up pieces for a trade with the Marlins for one of their starters. I have a hard time picturing Sanchez and Urshela in a Twins uniform, especially Sanchez.

[RJA]

8 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Best analysis and article on this so far - very fair. Synopsis - we won't know anything until the envelopes are all opened. Anything could happen but it is a strange March. The Twins are thin at catcher, need a shortstop, leftfielder, and some relief pitching. Oh, and there is still the most glaring hole - starting pitching. Hold on for the ride. This Yankee trade was crazy by itself.

I agree.  More is coming, and until we see the final product, we should wait and see what happens.  If nothing happens, we will have plenty of time to complain--a whole season!  Actually, the Twins could add Story and another bat if they wanted to and still be in good shape budget wise.  They currently have very little on the books for the next couple of years.  Plus, if they sign Story, it is possible Martin or Lewis would be dealt for more pitching.

[KFEY93]

9 hours ago, RpR said:

Twins will be in the basement again this year.

They were going to be regardless. They needed 3 new proven good to great pitchers in both the rotation and bull pen and that wasnt going to happen.