TAMPA, Florida USA – Josh Donaldson was suspected of using unauthorized ball-catching materials by new teammate Gerrit Cole last season. Now, the two claim to be one of the leaders in guiding the New York Yankees to their first World Series Championship since 2009.
The Yankees bought DonaldsonMinnesota Twins’ infielder Isia Kiner-Falefa and backup catcher Ben Rordwett on Sunday night in exchange for catcher Gary Sanchez and third paceman Geo Urshela.
Donaldson suggested in June last year that the goalie, the Yankees ace, had tried to cover up the use of materials to handle the ball.
2015 AL MVP and goal manager Aaron Cat met Monday at the Yankees spring camp just before work day.
“In the end, I think it’s not going to be a problem,” Boone said. “I think it’s something buried. It’s not a problem. We can not say it was a small thing last year.”
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman called Cole before the trade was announced and said he wanted to talk to him about what happened last year. Cole called the conversation with Donaldson “productive.”
“Situations like this are not a bar if you are determined to win the championship,” Cole said. “It’s about asking both sides a little bit and getting to know a new group.”
Donaldson said it was a good meeting.
“We had a conversation because there was some noise there because of what happened last year, wasn’t there?” Donaldson said. “I think both sides should meet each other and listen to what both sides have to say and eventually align our goals. Our goal is to succeed. We’re both in the same car now, and we’re going to do that.”
“At the end of the day, we’ve come to play baseball,” Donaldson added.