Yankees Acquire Ivan Rodriguez

where did this even come from??

When is Pudge a FA?

They got Farnsworth in return...interesting.

wow tim, they certainly snuck that one by huh?

Awesome for the yanks, Fransworth has been nothing but trouble and cash is never an issue.

Holy out of left field, batman!

WOW, crazy! Being a twins fan i like this deal. It seems like a pretty darn good deal for the yankees.

So the Yankees went cheap rather than trade for a better long-term catching option?

Whoa, didn't see that one coming. And I bet Brandon Inge didn't either...

Wow, that one sure did come out of nowhere. I didn't even hear Pudge's name coming up as being available. I guess I'll be the first to say that I'll miss Krazy Kyle, he seemed to be coming around this season.

Yankees broadcast crew about to confirm trade. Listen live if you can.

Yankees making alot happen, hopefully the Redsox and answer!

Wow. The Tigers probably could have got a bit more than Farnsworth, but none the less, excellent deal for the Yankees. The Red Sox and Rays better make a move, quick.

Confirmed, Pudge will be there tomorrow for game.

I guess that's one less team interested in one of the Rangers' catchers. I fully expect Jon Daniels to reject offer after offer and end up with all four of them still on the roster all year by this point.

Nive deal by the Yankees. Even though I hated Farnsworth this whole time with the Yanks but this year he turned it around. I hope they can call up Britton from the minors now. Feel, bad for Moeller. Maybe they could keep him to catch Rasner.

Props to Cash, though I actually think this makes sense for both clubs...assuming Inge is OK catching (he's repeatedly said he doesn't like it, from what I understand). Also like that it's out of nowhere.

Could he close for Detroit?

Tim, when you analyse this trade please find out from your buddy whether Farnsworth is likely to be a type a or b free agent (I think his contract is up). Thanks!

WoW. Why on earth would the Tigers do this deal?

This helps yanks a TON! (not to mention when pudge walks after this year, they'll get a 1st or 2nd round pick!)

Great trade Cashman.

This deal probably helps out the yanks more than the tigers, but I'm not sure I understand the exhuberance from yankee fans. This does not put them over the top. This does not force the Red Sox' or Rays' hand. It simply fills a hole. Good deal for both sides.

this is an unseen and stunning move. Great pull for the Yanks.

Pudge07, Kyle Farnsworth will likely be a type B free agent.

"The deal was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney."

I'd be very surprised if the Yanks offer him arbitration. He's coming off a $13M salary this year, and I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the Yanks could only ask the arbitrator for a maximum pay cut of 20% - meaning a salary of $10.6M - for 2009. Pudge would certainly accept arbitration, and odds are no one will offer him anything close, leaving the Yanks with the tab.

How do the Yankees keep tricking bad teams to make these horrible deals with them? Maybe George really is Darth Vader after all.

Dumping Farnsworth in exchange for two months of Pudge and two draft picks.

Fantastic move.

I'm glad Buster got credit for being first. That poor sap always gets snubbed.

Pudge will most likely look for a long-term deal, so refusing arbitration is likely. Though since The Tigers chose Kyle Farnsworth over two picks maybe they thought he'd accept arb. Does anyone have any idea what The Marlins offered for Pudge? Could it have actually been worse than this? Also, might this mean that Rents is next or that they're freeing up some salary to make another deal?

Not that I've ever been very comfortable with Farnsworthless with a lead in the 8th, who is the setup man?

Obviously against lefties its Marte, but Robertson and Veras in the 8th now?

I like the move though since we need a catcher. Might as well get one with so many gold gloves!

I just remembered about Melancon?

How about him for some late season bullpen help a la Joba?

Can't say I comprehend this move from the Tigers POV (yes I read the part about the 2.6M saved) since I would have thought the draft picks would be better long term than Farnsworth.

This is an awesome move by Cashman, plain and simple. Its honestly a win-win move. Pudge has a lot of the intangibles that the Yanks have lacked in past years, and he is a proven winner. Just my humble opinion...but Yanks fans should be pumped about this trade. You just went from having a hole to filling it with an above average player with great leadership skills. Congrats.

I'm not making it bigger than it is...it doesn't make them automatically better than the Sox. however, I don't think anyone can argue that they aren't better than they were yesterday, which wasn't all that far behind Boston...

"So the Yankees went cheap rather than trade for a better long-term catching option?"

Nothing cheap about this, other than the steal of a deal the Yanks got. Pudge is going to be more productive than one of those "long term" options and plays defense that compares with that of the Yankees' current catcher. Further, whether Pudge takes the arb or not, I am sure he can be productive at the position next year as well, given the kind of shape he keeps himself in.

No one's getting any draft picks for Pudge unless they offer him arbitration. The Tigers weren't going to offer him arbitration, so they weren't getting any picks - this way they might get a sandwich pick if they offer Farnsworth arbitration (with his much lower price tag if they end up stuck with thim).

I was hoping they would move Fartsworth! Mentioned it on here earlier in the week and a few people called me nuts.

GREAT move for the Yankees. Pudge is great at calling a game and is still hitting (.295) Rotating him with Molina will keep them both fresh for a postseason run. Draft picks next year if they don't keep him are icing on the cake.

As for Fartsworth? Did ANY of us not shake when he came into a close game in the 8th?? One thing the Yanks HAVE is bullpen arms. They just got Marte...he was Pitt's closer so he obviously is capable of the 8th. Edwar has been lights out. Veras is doing well. Robertson, despite one bad outing, is doing well. Britton, Melancon, Bruney...and whomever doesn't make the rotation between Hughes, Kennedy and Aceves. Not to mention, Humberto Sanchez and even...hate to say it...Pavano. PLENTY of options for the pen, now and in Sept!

BIG series coming up....let's go YANKS!!

Wow, do you think the Yankees want to win this year in the last year of Yankee Stadium?

This is a very solid trade for them, as Farnsworth was never really trusted in that Yankee bullpen. Jose Molina is a good backup but he certainly wasn't the answer as a full-time catcher.

Oh god. Being a huge sox fan, this this going to hurt the sox and other teams alot, and could help them get to the playoffs this season. I just can't beleive that the tigers would trade their star catcher for a ok releif pitcher. now, with molina and ivan behind the plate, it will be the hardest team in baseball to steal off. this is going to be a very interesting season from now till the end.

NYY will never see the draft picks, unless they want to risk paying Rodriguez 11 million bucks next year. Which they probably won't...

I am a Yankee fan who is absolutely thrilled with this. No, it wont put them over the top, but to get a quality player for "Worthless" is a huge coup for Cashman.
Pudge gives us the best of Molina and Posada, a good defensive guy who can hit!
With Pudge starting and Molina backing up, NO ONE will run on the Yanks.

I would have traded Kyle for a case of beer!

Depending on how Pudge plays....they MAY offer him arbitration...keep him as the starter and have Jorge be the back-up catcher and starting DH or 1B.

The Yankees have three stud catching prospects in Cervelli, Montero and Romine...but I don't think any of them will be ready for next year...and Montero may even change positions.

Do you think they're done dealing?

Personally, I think that between Kennedy, Hughes, Posnson, Rasner, Aceves and Pavano...they SHOULD be able to come up with two inning eaters...but it wouldn't suck to get a vet like Washburn, IF it's a salary dump ONLY.

I'm a sox fan so I'd hate to see the Yanks get picks but couldn't they offer arbitration and say you can be a one year back-up to Posada for the 11 mil or whatever the figure would be...Ivan would likely opt for a starting gig elsewhere at similar money, possibly more years and opt for free agency?

I think keeping Pudge will depend on how Posada's rehab goes. He is signed for another 3 years and while he can DH, then you have a log jam at DH with Damon and Matsui since they will also be around next year and they wont be in the OF at the same time.
Im not sure I want Posada at first, though we might see that.

How many deals does this make for the Yanks in the last few days now?

Tampa needs to respond and I think this ensures Manny isn't going anywhere, they need his bat.

...Unless, though unlikely, with getting beat up on by the Angels the few days (and the Angels getting Tex) they give up and become a seller...

Looking like a great Sept. for baseball in the AL East...

Mike Wilbon on PTI just put it perfectly!

"the Yankees get a future Hall of Famer for a complete dope"

Yankeegirl - O'Neill was saying today on YES that Jorge's arm won't be 100% till next July! That means half the seaon next year he will be throwing like he did the first half of this year. I'm not a huge fan of him playing 1B...but I'd much rather see Pudge or Molina back there shutting down the running game.

In the offseason, there will be major moves via free-agency and trade. You are right...too many DH types. Someone will have to go...but it's doubtful it will be Jorge with that new contract.

NEW Line-up:

Damon (dh)
Jeter (ss)
Abreu (rf)
ARod (3b)
Giambi (1b)
Nady (lf)
Cano (2b)
Pudge (c)
Melky (cf)

Molina, Betemit, Christian, Sexson

Pretty solid line-up!! Bullpen looks great!! Just need to shore up the bottom half of the rotation and we're looking good.

Rivera, Marte, Edwar, Veras, Robertson, Giese. GREAT pen!

I'd love to see them bring up Melancon to take Fartsworth's place. Probably will be Britton though.

JJ...I'd like to see Cano and Giambi switched. I know Giambi had a good month, but I really have no faith in him. Cano has stayed hot since the break and should be moved up.
I know Jorge wont be 100% till mid summer, but he will be ready for the beginning of the season. Truthfully, I am not concerned with money, never have been..if they want to pay Pudge, its fine with me. I was fine with Molina as well, the way I see it, if the lineup hits they way we know they can, Molina's .230 shouldnt matter. The fact that we got Pudge for pretty much nothing, it what made me happy.

Bruney will be back soon as well.

I like Bruney. He's working on his location and stamina right now at AAA. A few weeks away probably.

Here is a question for Yankee's fans:

Is it time to give Chrisitan a few starts in CF? Maybe a little competition for Melky gets him going? Christian can run, has only struck out once in 25 AB's and looks like he has more of a clue at the plate than Melky does right now.

I agree about Christian..lets see what he can do.

I also think Kennedy should get Ponsons start this weekend. What do we have to lose, Ponson sucks and would have more losses had we not scored 8 runs a game for him. I havent given up on Kennedy and think he should get a shot. Im not advocating throwing him into the rotation..but give him one start and go from there.

Great trade for the Yankees. Brian Bruney is at least as good as Farnsworth who is a career shaky pitcher. Pudge is over the hill but can still play solid defense, is OPS+ing over 100 this year, and is therefor a huge improvement for the Yankee offense which has been featuring automatic outs from the catcher position most of the year.
Oh yeah, Yanks pay some money but its cheap and short term. The payroll will be so less next year with Giambi and Abreu gone, and possibly someone or both of Pettitte Mussina.

I agree about Kennedy. He's been pitching well...seems to have his command back. His confidence was the biggest problem though...hopefully he's regained that.

I also actually wouldn't mind seeing Aceves take a turn for Rasner...then in a few weeks, see if Pavano can actually shock the world and EARN a paycheck!

Pavano will slip in the bathtub before he ever wins another game for the Yanks. He should be selling beer at the stadium..of course he'd probably fall down the stairs and sue!

Oh and as for Kennedy's confidence..thats why I want him this weekend. Girardi should sit him down say "hey, we trust you, trust yourself and go get em". Putting him out there vs the Angels might just do wonders for his psyche!

Good move. Farnsworth was good but we have a lot of depth in the bullpen.

Pudge is hitting for a great average for a catcher and has good defense. Molina will get an occasionaly start from time to time.

I agree about giving Christian a few starts. He's clearly not a long term option (just a backup), but a little competition never hurt anyone.

And regarding Type A/arbitration: ya know, teams in the past have asked the player blatently to decline arbitration.

Apparently none of the posters realize that Pudge is not that good now that he's off steroids.

He's batting .289 5hr 32rbi

Inge would have been the better pickup.

I'm all for Kennedy taking Ponson's spot(or at least be given the chance), but he pitched almost 100 pitches yesterday(Tuesday). Ponson should be going on Friday, so at the very least, someone's gotta go then. Maybe let Giese start and call up Kennedy as another bullpen guy for the day(figure he could throw 35-40)

"I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the Yanks could only ask the arbitrator for a maximum pay cut of 20% - meaning a salary of $10.6M - for 2009."

Let me correct you, since you're wrong. The 20% maximum pay cut rule does not apply to free agents. It's only for players with less than six years of service time.

Inge would have been the better pickup.

Inge is hitting .227. But since he walks a lot more than Rodriguez and has a bit of pop, they're pretty much the same offensively. But Inge has a history of not being able to hit at all when he's asked to catch full time, and Rodriguez still throws out 36% of would-be basestealers. So as catchers, offense plus defense, I'd have to say Rodriguez still comes out ahead. He's not the player he used to be, but he's still a league average hitter and a decent defensive catcher. Those don't grow on trees.

Dang; forgot the quotation marks.

"Inge would have been the better pickup."

etc.

"He's batting .289 5hr 32rbi"

Not sure where you're getting your stats from, but I'm seeing his BA as .295. Also, while he's not the great offensive force that he once was, he does have an OPS over 100.

Farnsworth was in tears in his interview after todays game. Poor guy, he really loved being in NY. I wonder if the Tigers would have taken anyone else.

the losers in this trade? the rangers. there goes the shot at landing kennedy somehow. maybe the red sox will answer with a texas catcher. *hopefully*

Pudge being "not that good anymore" is not the point. He is as good or better behind the plate as Molina and his .295 eclipses Molina's .229. We dont need the hall of famer Pudge of a few years ago, we need a good every day catcher.
A year ago we couldnt sump Worthless for a bag of balls..

great trade by the yankees i mean although farnsworth was starting to come around we nevr know how long it would have lasted and ivan rodriguez will defintly improve our team i mean his hitting .295 thts better then the averages tht jeter, abreu, cabrera, giambi and cano have put up this year yankees made a very smart deal in this trade and in the other trade ( gettign rid of hawkins) except i dont see why they got a second baseman but o well 2 good trades today the yankees have fit everything they needed at the deadline, outfielder, reliever, catcher the only thing there missing is a starting pitcher but im sure they will get a trade for a starter int he next 24 hours maybe padilla from texas?

"Inge is hitting .227. But since he walks a lot more than Rodriguez and has a bit of pop, they're pretty much the same offensively."

You are joking, right? Inge K's a lot more, which means he moves over runners less and is more of a risk overall. Also, Pudge has the higher OBP and still runs faster, which means he is more likely to score once he gets on base.

"Apparently none of the posters realize that Pudge is not that good now that he's off steroids."

Yeah, that's not defamatory or anything

Pudge will flourish in New York...he'll hit 300+ and fill in nicely for Posada...the yanks are solid behind the plate....Pitching ...Pitching...Pitching

"You are joking, right? Inge K's a lot more, which means he moves over runners less and is more of a risk overall. Also, Pudge has the higher OBP and still runs faster, which means he is more likely to score once he gets on base."

First of all, no, I'm not joking. Yeah, Rodriguez has a whopping 18 point OBP edge, which is sort of balanced balanced by Inge's 21 point slugging advantage. Inge does strike out too much, but at least he'll take a walk now and then. And while the K's do mean fewer productive outs, they also mean fewer GIDPs.

But more importantly, do you really think that a throwaway line like "they're pretty much the same offensively" is worth getting that worked up about? Really?

I didn't say they were identical, and I certainly didn't say that Inge was better. In fact, I was rebutting the contention that Inge is better. But they have made roughly similar offensive contributions on a rate basis so far this season. That's all.

Broadway... Big Lights...Big Nights... he's always wanted to play in New York.... this will motivate and energize him...he's one of those guys who likes the heat

Pudge slaps Inge... put the crack pipe down...its making you not think right

Damon DH
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Cano 2B
Nady LF
Pudge C
Melky CF

Matsui DH/LF

hahahaha
did you guys see joe girardi
on an inteerview he was CRYING because he supposedly had a good relationship with farnsworth
haha
*hilarious*

crying with joy....

what number will pudge wear