Athletics general manager Billy Beane and his former third baseman, Josh Donaldson, engaged in a verbal altercation prior to the trade that sent the 28-year-old All-Star to the Blue Jays, according to multiple reports.
Josh Donaldson, Billy Beane reportedly had ‘verbal altercation’ prior to trade
You apparently don’t call Beane “Billy Boy” and get away with it.
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The incident took place before the All-Star break and was a result of Donaldson asking for a few days off for various aches and pains to heal, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Donaldson and Beane chalked up the conversation to “normal protocol,” says Shea, but there apparently was a lot more to the discussion.
The two sides got into a heated argument in the clubhouse after Beane discovered A’s manager Bob Melvin left Donaldson out of the lineup, according to Scott Miller. The altercation reportedly led to Donaldson repeatedly referring to Beane as “Billy Boy.”
The incident perhaps sheds some light on why Oakland parted with Donaldson -- one of the American League's most valuable players over the last two seasons -- for what was widely perceived as an underwhelming return. Fifth-year third baseman Brett Lawrie and prospects Franklin Barreto, Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin were acquired from Toronto by Beane and his staff in exchange for Donaldson on Nov. 28.
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