ESPN's Jeff Passan says there was Josh Donaldson 'toxicity' in Minnesota
The Twins trading Josh Donaldson ahead of the 2022 season continues to look better and better for the Minnesota front office.
With the Yankees in the midst of one of their worst seasons in 30 years, fans in New York are looking everywhere for what's gone wrong this season.
Donaldson's .142/.225/.434 slash line is one of the focal points for angry New Yorkers looking to blame longtime Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
ESPN's Jeff Passan added fuel to the fire Tuesday in an appearance on the Michael Kay Show saying: "I think the Donaldson trade was bad from the start."
"Especially because the Yankees knew just how poorly he was getting along with people in Minnesota," continued Passan. "There was some toxicity going on there in Minnesota. I don't think you can look at the Donaldson trade in a positive way."
jeff passan says josh donaldson was “toxic” in minnesota and the yankees knew it when they acquired him pic.twitter.com/DAsQIi2la7
— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) August 24, 2023
Donaldson was coming off a season in which he hit .247 for 26 home runs. Since arriving in New York the 37-year old third baseman has a .207/.293/.385 slash line and just 25 home runs while missing significant time due to injuries.
The Twins sent Donaldson to the Yankees along with Isiah Kiner-Falefa in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela in March 2022.
If the Twins are to continue their record-setting playoff winless streak this postseason it won't come at the hands of the Yankees, who sit five games below .500 and 10 games out of a Wild Card spot in the American League.
