There are a number of connections between the Yankees and the Cleveland franchise. Here’s a look: 

The biggest recent deal between the Yankees and Cleveland came in 2016, when the Yankees traded Andrew Miller to Ohio in exchange for a package of prospects that included Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield. Miller helped Cleveland reach the World Series that season while Frazier became a polarizing figure in The Bronx who never lived up to his potential and dealt with recurring issues from a concussion. Sheffield appeared in three games for the Yankees before he was traded to Seattle as part of a package for James Paxton in 2018. 

The Yankees manager played two seasons in Cleveland, in 2005 and 2006, signing there as a free agent after missing the 2004 season because he tore an ACL in a pickup basketball game. That injury led the Yankees — who had dealt for Boone ahead of the 2003 trade deadline — to acquire Alex Rodriguez from the Rangers to play third base. In 247 games with Cleveland, Boone had a slash line of .246/.306/.375. 

The Yankees are familiar with Francona, who has been with Cleveland since 2013, from his days with the Red Sox. Francona led Boston’s comeback from a 3-0 ALCS deficit against the Yankees in 2004 and won the 2007 AL East crown with the Red Sox. He was also the losing manager in the 2017 AL Divisional Series and the 2020 wild-card round, both against the Yankees. 

Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Gordon played his entire career in New York and Cleveland, but does not have his number retired by either franchise. Gordon was with the Yankees from 1938-1946 (missing the 1944 and 1945 seasons due to military service), earning six All-Star nods, the 1942 AL MVP and two World Series rings. He was traded following the 1946 season to Cleveland for pitcher Allie Reynolds. In Cleveland, he won a third title in 1948 and made three more All-Star teams before retiring following the 1950 season.