Twins Not Interested in Josh Donaldson Reunion… But What About Aaron Hicks?

Photo: Maddie Meyer - Getty Images

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And this weekend, Bob Nightengale (USA Today) is trying to figure out who might stop by and scoop up some VERY expensive trash that the New York Yankees are trying to take out, in the form of (OF) Aaron Hicks and (3B) Josh Donaldson.

Twins have no interest in bringing Josh Donaldson back.

In both cases, he checked on whether or not the Minnesota Twins would have interest. For Donaldson, the answer was a definitive “no”.

—The Twins badly need a third baseman, but have no interest in re-acquiring Josh Donaldson from the Yankees.

Bob Nightengale – USA Today Sports

Donaldson is recovering from a hamstring injury but his rehab assignment was pushed back after he sliced his thumb while assembling something at home. The Yankees would love for another team to offer ANYTHING in exchange for Donaldson, when he eventually returns to full health. Thankfully, that team won’t be the Twins.

Before his injury, Donaldson hit .125 in 16 at-bats this season. It wasn’t the start he had hoped for, after struggling in his first season with the Yankees, after the Twins traded him in exchange for Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez the offseason before. Their lack of interest makes even more sense given Royce Lewis could be ready to take over at 3rd base in just over one week.

Could Twins want Aaron Hicks back?

The Yankees designated 33-year-old Aaron Hicks for assignment on Saturday. That means they have one week to trade or release him. Finding a trade partner is very unlikely so they’re expected to pay the final $30 million he’s owed before cutting him loose.

—Center fielder Aaron Hicks, who still has 2 ½ years left on his seven-year, $70 million contract, was designated for assignment by the Yankees. 

Considering how well Sonny Gray and Joey Gallo have fared in Minnesota since their departure from New York, maybe the Twins should call and bring Hicks back. 

Bob Nightengale – USA Today Sports

When Hicks reaches free agency, the Twins seem like an obvious landing spot. After all, he was drafted in the 1st round (14th overall) by the Twins and started his major league career in Minnesota, before he was traded to the Yankees following the 2015 season.

The 2023 Twins could use another established veteran in their outfield rotation, given the injuries they’ve dealt with to this point continue to deal with (Kepler, Gallo, Larnach, Kirilloff, Buxton).

While Nightengale’s Hicks + Twins steam reads as more conjecture than actual reporting, it’s clear Bob has been in contact with sources inside the Minnesota Twins organization recently. It’d be a weird coincidence that he mentions Hicks + Twins in the same article he rules out any chance of a Josh Donaldson reunion.

Also included in the same article are quotes from Rocco Baldelli and Joey Gallo, about Gallo’s 2023 resurgence. Again, it seems weird that Nightengale would throw the Hicks steam out there, without checking on the Twins’ interest, when he’s already talking to his Twins sources about other news nuggets (like Donaldson and Gallo)

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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