Yanks Make a Move

The MLB Trade Deadline was creeping ever closer, and very few teams were as active and aware as the New York Yankees. Looking to fill two important spots, a set up man, and a flexible Designated Hitter, the club looked to move two potentially key players to the Big Apple today to help come October.

The Major's most prestigous franchise made a deal that finalized many rumours circulating around the world of sports Saturday, and it was a very good deal at that! Lance Berkman was traded from the Houston Astro's the only club he had ever played for, and lifted to the Bronx after a trade that was agreed upon Friday, but was not able to be announced as finalized until saturday as per Article 19, which allows players waiving their no-trade rights twenty-four (24) hours to reconsider their decision. The acquisition of Berkman comes with two VERY important features. Options, and experiance. The presence of the All-Star first baseman means he can take to the pitch and field when needed, or hit in the middle of the linup as a fearsome DH. Being 34 years of age actually plays into his advantage, because it gives him plenty of experiance, something that is going to be crucial in the Yankee's October run. Yet the best part about this "steal" of a deal is that the Astros have agreed to pay $4 million of the $7.5 million Berkman is due between the rest of his salary this year and the buyout on his $15 million option for 2011. Meaning that even though the Yankee's can spend whatever they want, they save at best roughly 55% of Berkman's salary and at worst 20% of his cut over the next two years. This deal was made in part to the fact the Astros recieved Triple-A reliever Mark Melancon and High-A infielder Jimmy Paredes.

The Yankee's also solidified their state as winners this 2010 Trade Deadline by picking up reliever Kerry Woods. This move was more "iffy" than that of Berkman's, and this being because Woods has been struggling this year, and a bit last as well. This trade brings more rumours about current 8th inning set-up man Joba Chamberlain's status as a Yank, then his 6.30 E.R.A. The only real reason I'm willing to look past his wretched numbers this year would be because he has only pitched 20.0 innings this year and those with the Indians, a team that has commited nearly 30 more errors, and has a lower fielding percentage than the Yanks/

Overall, I have to consider the best winners at the 2010 Trade Deadline to be the contenders, who have loaded up for another title run this year, the Philidelphia Phillies, and the New York Yankess. If the Yankees can not manage to win it all this year, with all their star power, and money spent, well blame it on the Bambino, what can ya do?