The New York Yankees acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson, together with two additional pieces, from the Minnesota Twins late on Sunday, in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela.
So far, so good, right? Well, let’s not forget that Donaldson was perhaps the biggest ambassador from the players’ side on MLB banning pitchers from using foreign substances on the ball last year.
In fact, Donaldson called out Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole last year. “Is it coincidence that Gerrit Cole’s spin rate numbers went down after four minor leaguers got suspended for 10 games?” Donaldson said to The Athletic in 2021. “Is that possible? I don’t know. Maybe. At the same time, with this situation, they’ve let guys do it.”
Cole and Donaldson met as Yankees’ teammates for the first time
So what now? They are teammates on the Yankees. General manager Brian Cashman told the media today that he called Cole last night to give him a heads up about bringing in Donaldson, and he approved. Cole and Donaldson talked about the issue and decided to bury the hatchet, focusing on winning a championship instead.
“I think we’re just having a conversation because obviously there was a big thing that was made out of it last year,” said Donaldson. “A lot of conversation went on about it. And I think both sides wanted to be able to meet and address the issue that was at hand as far as just hearing one another and ultimately leading us back to our goals. I keep saying this, but our goal is to win. And both of us are in the same house now and that’s what we’re gonna do.”
Cole described the meeting as more like listening to a new teammate. “I don’t think there was anything that needed to really be squared away,” he said. “Just a little bit of listening from both sides and getting to know a new teammate.”
It’s clear that expecting them to be friends is a lot to ask (although not impossible), but they are focused on trying to win together and last year’s spider tack issue won’t be a problem going forward for the Yankees.