Yankees Trade Farnsworth for Pudge Rodriguez

With one All-Star catcher facing season-ending shoulder surgery, the Yankees acquired another All-Star today when they made a huge upgrade at catcher by trading for Ivan Rodriguez from the Detroit Tigers. In return for the 36 year-old catcher, the Yankees sent relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth to the Tigers. Long-time Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who is in the first year of a 4 year, $52 million contract with the Yankees, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery today and will miss the rest of the season. Rodriguez, who is batting .295 this season with 5 HR and 32 RBI is a 14-time All-Star, 13-time Gold Glove winner, and former MVP (AL, 1999).

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By tien mao in News on July 30, 2008 5:04 PM

Comments [rss]

jaycjay

"Rodriguez isn't nearly the hitter he once was."

Actually he is nearly the hitter he once was.His career average is .302 and he's still batting .295 this season with a .756 OPS (third among AL catchers). Yankee catchers including Posada have hit .247 this season. He should be a pretty significant upgrade offensively.

And he's batting .382 over his past 30 games.

bornbrednewyorker

Farnsworth for Rodriguez? Further proof that the league needs a salary cap.

JMH

Rodriguez isn't nearly the hitter he once was. Tampa is still the best team in the division.

RoDogg

Hell Yeah! If Pudge shows he is better then Jorge then I say fuck Jorge and keep Pudge!

... ok not fuck Jorge because he did help us win championships but I think Pudge would be an upgrade from Jorge.

FrankMartin

MJG

What kind of sox fan doesn't worry? A young one.

citizenerased

Pudge is done. A shadow of his former steroid-fueled self. Yes Farnsworth is shit as well but many of you are massively over-rating Pudge.

jaycjay

"The only question is what do they do next season when Posada's back?"

Depending on his recovery, Posada may not even be catching. And Pudge is in his option year, he's a free agent after the season so isn't even necessarily part of next season's equation.

So I guess the question is still "what do they do next season," just changing the context a little.

JenChungsBaby

This is highway robbery. The only question is what do they do next season when Posada's back? I never liked Farsnworth but he did pitch well enough for the last month to enable this trade.

matthew gannon

Not worried.

jaycjay

"As a Red Sox fan all I have to say is "'YAWN'"

Really? I'd think that a move that clearly improves the Yankee team would be of interest to a Sox fan, what with the Yankees just a game behind your team in the standings as today draws to a close.

Steven

He might start tomorrow night against the Angels.

matthew gannon

As a Red Sox fan all I have to say is "YAWN"

jaycjay

"Farnsworth was having an OKAY season in comparison to his previous seasons at the Yankees."

I'd word that a little differently: he was having a great season only when compared to his previous few seasons. It's an OK season in comparison to what the Yankees expected when they signed him.

Definitely won't be one of the most-missed.

theloofyourlife

Farnsworth was having an OKAY season in comparison to his previous seasons at the Yankees.

He is NOT clutch nor were majority of his 'pretty great performances' in game-on-the-line situations!

I think the Yankees obviously got the better end of the trade. Welcome to the Yankees Pudge.

Mike Wilbon on PTI today..

"I can't believe the Tigers, 5 1/2 back, trade a future hall of famer for a complete dope!"

my thoughts exactly.

FrankMartin

as a sox fan all I have to say is "F*CK"

babyhitler

Holy Shit! This dude was the premier catcher in the league 2-3 years ago. Yes. even better than posada. This is a steal if there ever was one.

jaycjay

"trade him during the offseason."

He'll be a free agent.

jaycjay

"And Farnsworth is having a pretty great season."

He is, so far at least. Cashman called this move "robbing Peter to pay Paul," but the fact is that with the addition of Marte the team could afford to lose an experienced RP and the absolutely needed a strong replacement for Posada at catcher. Molina's spectacular defensively but doesn't bring much to the plate and there was really no other position to put a good new bat. Moeller isn't a top-level backup and Molina can't keep playing every day. Smart move at the deadline.

nomnomnom

Looks like he turns 37 after the season.

smitty

I think he's 37, not 36.

And Farnsworth is having a pretty great season.

Alex

thank god farnsworth is gone

Rfive

More like welcome pudge. It seems like a great deal and then trade him during the offseason. Or keep him if Posada doesn't come back.

Its about winning folks!