A's GM Billy Beane denies trading Josh Donaldson due to spat

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane said the idea he traded All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson because of an argument is "absurd."

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane told the New York Post's Joel Sherman that the idea he traded All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson because of an argument is "so absurd, to respond further is to give it credibility."

On Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported there was an "in-season spat" between Beane and Donaldson, where Donaldson asked for a couple days off to recover physically and Beane told him to go on the disabled list if he's that banged up, prompting the two "to have words."

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Bleacher Report reports an industry source said he "knew" the A's would trade Donaldson because Beane and the third baseman were "at war" by the end of the season. 

"They got into it in the coach's office,"

the source says

, describing a scene in which Beane lit into Donaldson, with the third baseman reiterating his need for a day off and petulantly calling Beane "Billy Boy."

"Nobody talks to Billy that way," the source said. "It did not surprise me in the least that he got rid of Donaldson."

Donaldson was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for third baseman Brett Lawrie and a trio of prospects.

Beane’s take was Donaldson was his best player and no way he is trading his best player due to a personality clash #Athletics

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 3, 2014

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The 28-year-old Donaldson batted .255 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and a .342 on-base percentage in 2014, his second full season in the majors. 

- Molly Geary