Yankees Replace Posada With Pudge

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Jorge Posada underwent successful season-ending surgery on his injured shoulder this morning. Hours later, the Yankees plugged his spot in the lineup by pulling off a mini-blockbuster, swapping Ivan Rodriguez for Kyle Farnsworth. What, did you really think the Yankees would ride Jose Molina the rest of the year?

This may end up being one of those rare trades that ends up helping both teams. The Yankees desperately needed another catcher, and after acquring Damaso Marte from the Pirates last weekend, Farnsworth was expendable. The Tigers, on the other hand, desperately needed to improve their bullpen, and with Brandon Inge providing just about everything that Pudge has this year (his .758 OPS is nearly idential to Pudge's .756), they, too, were dealing from a position of strength.

Farnsworth's tenure in New York has not been without drama, but he's enjoying his best season yet as a Yankee with a 3.65 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. With Todd Jones recently being demoted and (most likely) not yet trusted to pitch pressure innings, there's a very good chance that Farnsworth could end up closing in Detroit, or at least serving as Fernando Rodney's setup man.

Both the Tigers and Yankees remain longshots to make the playoffs, so while they're technically buyers at the trade deadline, it's understandable if they're reluctant to mortgage their future to chase long odds. And that's the beauty of this trade: it's truly low-risk, high-reward, considering both Pudge and Farnsworth are free agents at the end of the year. If it doesn't work out, both teams are in the exact same spot they were before the trade.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-30-2008 @ 6:16PM

peter said...

One game out of the wildcard and four behind a very unproven team with two months to go and the Yankees are a long shot,Who actually pays you to write this stuff thats a clueless report but you must be very new to this because old time writters have learned to hide there hatred for the Yankees most of the time anyway.Finally Cashman is earning his money this year

7-30-2008 @ 9:43PM

Thomas Marallo said...

Make a first baseman out of Posada, which is very possible, and you can't beat Pudge at the catching position. I feel that the Yankees got the best of the deal, and I think that the Yankee fans will all be happy.

7-30-2008 @ 6:57PM

Dr Huxtable said...

Tigers got raped

7-30-2008 @ 7:27PM

tom said...

W.T.F. are the tigers thinking!!! I almost wanted to puke.

7-30-2008 @ 8:13PM

Dave said...

The Yanks got the better of this deal by far. Adios Farnsworth!

7-30-2008 @ 8:52PM

Terri said...

Wow! I did not see this coming, Pudge, the Yankees scored big. While I like Molina and has done a decent job I did not see him everyday. Good riddence to Farnsworth, never liked him. Good Luck JORGE, we will miss you already, your a true Yankee.

7-31-2008 @ 4:34PM

Mike said...

Good Luck JORGE, we will miss you already, your a true Yankee.

Pudge is a free agent at the end of the season while Posada has 3 more years on his contract (at around $12 - $13 million per, if I'm not mistaken).

Rodriguez clearly is a (MUCH) better hitter than Molina but even if his production increases over the next 2 months, I'm not sure that he is part of the Yankees' long term plans.

Coming off shoulder surgery, I don't see too many teams that would want to take on a contract like Posada's so I wouldn't waive goodbye prematurely.

7-30-2008 @ 9:30PM

mark said...

This is a coup! When everything else in your life sucks, if you're a Yankees fan, there's always hope.

I have always thought Pudge was one of the best catchers ever to play the game. He's never been with the right team.

Now he is. Watch his already great numbers soar, particularly home runs. He's got 5 so far. I predict he'll finish with 22-25 homers and a .315 batting average. This guy is that good.

All you fellow Yankee fans out there, let's celebrate tomorrow night. I live in Hilton Head and I'm gonna get laid!

7-30-2008 @ 9:31PM

dave said...

i like Ivan R but thats not where the problems lie... what are they gonna do with Posada when he is ok to play - he knows the team and is a good hitter- they need better hitting and the hitters who are suppose to be hitting on a consistent basis...to start hitting- no just Aberu ,a rod and jeter

7-30-2008 @ 9:49PM

Elizabeth said...

Posada just had surgery and won't be back this year. Pudge will be a free agent at the end of the year. Where's the problem?

7-30-2008 @ 9:47PM

Suddenly the Yankees are a long shot to make the playoffs? What? By whose estimation? I'd like to see some sort of rationalization for that statement.

7-31-2008 @ 12:10AM

George B Vieto said...

Ivan Rodriguez to the Yankees is a good deal for the Yankees since his fiery personality will light a fire on his teammates. Kyle Fransworth I am sure is doing backflips since he is leaving New York for Motown and deal with the pressure cooker playing in New York.

7-31-2008 @ 3:14AM

Ralphgmiami said...

The yankees are not a longshot. They have a very good shot at winning it all. More media hype. In fact, with Pudge and Jose Molina behind the plate, our Yanks will stop opponents from stealing bases. Watch the post from Red sox fans and you'll see what I mean. Kudos to Yankees GM Brian Cashman for not giving up valuable prospects but instead getting rid of Farnsworth after getting Damaso Marte. GO YANKEES! Miami, Florida, also known as south New York for the millions of former New Yorkers, loves the Yankees. Here's hoping to the Yankees 27th world championship in October 2008!

7-31-2008 @ 3:47AM

DON TISHLER said...

THE TIGERS SPENT ALL SPRING SETTLING DOWN THE LOCKER ROOM AND NOW THEY GIVE THE TEAM SPIRIT AWAY. YES,WE NEEDED A CLOSER BUT TRADING ANYBODY BUT PUDGE WOULD HAVE WORKED OUT BETTER.
SO LONG SEASON. .tish

7-31-2008 @ 1:20PM

tobrien28 said...

The Yankees are a longshot? have you looked at the standings? 4 out of the division and 1 out of the Wild Card gives them an excellent chance at the playoffs.

7-31-2008 @ 7:05PM

lcleejr said...

the tigers should have gotten rid of that cancer gary sheffield.
to the yankees,he destroyed the chemistry the tigers had.
thats right, the tigers got sheffield from the yankees, the yankees are dumb enough to take him back. damn.
.

7-31-2008 @ 9:19PM

Chris Rock said...

F*ck_i_singled will be back with the tiger's next year with a much cheaper contract. Hopefully by then the Tiger's will have learned how not to suck at baseball again. Good luck to Pudge and the yankme's this year. I guess.

7-31-2008 @ 9:56PM

CHRIS PACE said...

the tigers got the worst of the deal shame on them for letting this player go he was great LOVE PUDGE

8-01-2008 @ 7:53PM

Mark B said...

Yes, Pudge is getting older and yes his contract is up at the end of the year (even though there's an option) but still...really? A 13 time gold-glover, all-star, and future hall of famer for an inconsistent middle reliever? C'mon Dombrowksi...

8-01-2008 @ 10:26PM

steve said...

The Tiger front office just told us that the season is over. Not sure if it was the 9th inning fiasco in the first game at Chicago last weekend or the Cleveland series. It's over for another year.