MINNEAPOLIS — Like most Yankees players who are traded somewhere else, Gary Sanchez has flexed his personality here. The one-time top prospect who became the lightning rod for criticism in New York, grew out his facial hair once he was out from under the tight grooming guidelines that the Yankees enforce.
And last week, he expressed his opinion on his friend, Miguel Andujar, requesting a trade after the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A last week.
“My opinion, it’s time for them or any other team to give him an opportunity,” Sanchez told reporters through an interpreter, according to the Star Tribune. “He deserves to play in the big leagues. He’s done a good job, offensively, but also defensively. He’s come a long way defensively, and he’s shown that he’s capable of staying in the big leagues. Maybe he deserves an opportunity on another team.”
That’s spoken like a man who feels his own change of scenery has worked.
Sanchez and Gio Urshela, who were sent to the Twins for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Josh Donaldson and Ben Rortvedt, have both eased into their new team and are doing well as the two teams face off for the first time since the trade. A third of the way through the season and this is looking like the rare trade that may pay off for both teams.
The Yankees enter Tuesday night’s game at Target Field with the best record in baseball at 39-15. The Twins are in first place in their division, entering Tuesday with a record of 32-24.
“Maybe a lot of adrenaline that day,” Sanchez told reporters. “But at the same time, [I’m] excited to come out with my new team. I’m also excited to see old teammates and friends.”
Most notably, Sanchez’s defense has improved. As a back-up catcher, he has just three passed balls and he has zero catcher framing runs, much improved from the -6 he had last season and the same as Kyle Higashioka, who took over for Sanchez last season.
The Twins are pleased with Urshela as a third baseman and hitter so far this season. He has five home runs and 23 RBI, including a walk-off infield single May 23 against Detroit. Urshela has also been heating up lately, hitting .359 with a .951 OPS over his last 15 games.
Sanchez got off to a slow start, but is heating up just in time to see his old teammates. He has seven home runs and 27 RBI. In his last 22 games, Sanchez is hitting .263 with six home runs and a .869 OPS.
Trading Donaldson with the $50 million left on his contract also gave the Twins the financial ability to sign star shortstop Carlos Correa.
Donaldson has hit .229 with a 115 OPS-plus, and has had some big moments with the Yankees, including Sunday’s walk-off sacrifice fly to beat the Tigers. He also has had some low moments as he has been at the center of two benches-clearing incidents and charged with making a racist comment by White Sox manager Tony La Russa. Donaldson’s comment “What up, Jackie?” to Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson, who is Black, caused the last benches clearing incident and has Donaldson appealing a one-game suspension.
Donaldson was professional, but clearly there was no emotional attachment for him in the Twins clubhouse. The third baseman played two seasons with the Twins.
“No, I mean, I’ve had a good time there and you know, they’re having success and I’m happy for them. [Twins Chief Baseball Officer] Derek [Falvey] and [GM] Thad [Levine] do a great job running that organization,” Donaldson said. “And I wish them nothing but success, just not against us.”
Kiner-Falefa was the main target for the Yankees in that deal. He’s been an upgrade at shortstop defensively, who has added some speed and contact-hitting to the Yankees offense. Kiner-Falefa was batting .274 with a 90 OPS-plus and eight stolen bases in 50 games this season.
Rortvedt, who the Yankees had high hopes for to be a part of a catching tandem with Higashioka, has yet to play a game with the big league club. He had an oblique strain when the Yankees acquired him and then a few games into his rehab he suffered a torn meniscus. He’s been rehabbing the knee of late.
()