Yankees acquire former Blue Jay, AL MVP Josh Donaldson from Twins

The New York Yankees remade the left field of their infield, acquiring former AL MVP Josh Donaldson, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and and backup catcher Ben Rortvedt from the Minnesota Twins on Sunday night for catcher Gary Sanchez, third baseman Gio Urshela,

New York jettisoned Sanchez, a two-time All-Star who's been a defensive liability and slumped at the plate in four straight seasons.

Donaldson, yet another right-handed bat in the Yankees righty-heavy batting order, becomes a teammate of Gerrit Cole after suggesting last June that the Yankees ace had been trying to hide the use of unauthorized grip aides.

Kiner-Falefa was acquired by the Twins just on Saturday from Texas in a deal for catcher Mitch Garver. Earlier Sunday, Minnesota traded last year's first-round pick in the amateur draft, 18-year-old right-hander Chase Petty, to Cincinnati for starting pitcher Sonny Gray.

No cash was involved in this trade. The Yankees become responsible for Donaldson's $21 million US salary in each of the next two seasons plus a $16 million mutual option for 2024 with a $6 million buyout if declined by the team. He agreed to a $92 million, four-year contract with the Twins, the richest free-agent deal in franchise history.

Donaldson was the 2015 AL MVP with Toronto and was an All-Star in three straight seasons from 2014-16. Now 36, he hit .247 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs last year in his second season with the Twins.

New York is looking to retool an offence that scored two runs or fewer in 44 games and was shut out eight times. Right-handed batters filled 68.6% of New York's plate appearances last season (4,160 of 6,060).

Kiner-Falefa , who turns 27 on March 23, was a Gold Glove third baseman during the pandemic-shortened 2020