The New York Yankees called the Oakland Athletics about the availability of Josh Donaldson in the early part of last offseason.

Billy Beane assured Brian Cashman that Donaldson wouldn't be traded.

Alex Anthopoulos of the Toronto Blue Jays also called and simply wouldn't take no for an answer, using persistence to get Donaldson.

"Alex is and was certainly relentless," Oakland assistant general manager David Forst said. "That is his personality. But we didn't trade Josh to make Alex go away."

The Blue Jays eventually made an offer that the Athletics couldn't refuse.