The Yankees’ big move of the offseason was trading Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt.
The latter never factored into the season due to injury, while Kiner-Falefa and Donaldson became two of the team’s most polarizing players in terms of criticism for their production, whether it be offensively, defensively, or both.
Asked if he had any regrets about making that deal, Brian Cashman told reporters that he felt it was the right trade to make, and still feels that way.
“I think every year you kind of go to market by trying to attack your areas of weakness,” Cashman said. “From last year’s season, the 2021, season…we wanted to get more athletic and improve our team defense and be in a position to relocate Gleyber back to second base. We were able to do all that.
“I felt like we were able to attack a lot of areas and significantly improve the team in multiple areas as we approached the 2022 season. I know we ended up with a better defensive team like we had hoped. Who we had, in Kiner’s case it gave us a chance to bridge the gap as the kids developed…so, no.”
Cashman did allude to Donaldson’s offensive struggles, but expects that to rebound in 2023.
“I think Kiner was kind of along the lines of what we expected, and in Josh’s case, both an elite defender and really a typically high-end offensive player,” Cashman said. “His offense struggles this season for whatever reason, so that was an acknowledgement there that his offense wasn’t as good as it normally is, but it doesn’t mean it can’t return, because it’s not an injury issue with him in any way, shape, or form.”
Aaron Boone also backed Kiner-Falefa, doubling down on his assertions during the season that he was one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball, though late struggles caused him to be benched multiple times in the postseason.
“I know there was some frustrations with the error he would have on occasion,” Boone said. “But on the whole, I feel like he was by and large excellent defensively and in the top part of the league of shortstops.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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