Donaldson and Cole coincide for the first time as teammates

TAMPA, Florida USA (AP) — Josh Donaldson singled out his new teammate Gerrit Cole last season as suspected of using unauthorized substances to grab the ball. Now, both claim to be united to lead the New York Yankees to their first World Series championship since 2009.

The Yankees acquired Donaldson, infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and backup receiver Ben Rortvedt of the Minnesota Twins on Sunday night in exchange for catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshela,

Donaldson suggested in June last year that Cole, the ace of the Yankees, had tried to hide the use of substances to manipulate the ball.

The American League MVP in 2015 and Cole met with manager Aaron Boone ahead of the Yankees' first day of work on the Yankees spring field on Monday.

“In the end, I think it won't be a problem,” Boone said. “I think it's something that got buried and that won't be a problem, not to say that it was something unimportant to us last year.”

Brian Cashman, the general manager of the Yankees, called Cole before the change was announced, saying that he had to talk to him after what happened last year. Cole called the conversation with Donaldson “productive”.

“If you're committed to winning the championship, these kinds of situations don't matter,” Cole said. “It was just a little listening to both sides and getting to know a new teammate.”

Donaldson said it was a good meeting.

“We had a conversation, because there was obviously some noise there because of what happened last year, right?” , said Donaldson. “I think both sides wanted to get to know each other and hear what both sides had to say and ultimately align our goals. Our goal is to win. We're both in the same car now and that's what we're going to do.”

“At the end of the day, we're here to play baseball,” Donaldson added.