Pudge Rodriguez traded to the Yanks...

by anaconda on Jul 30, 2008 4:36 PM EDT in News Comment 22 comments

...for Kyle Farnsworth.

Rodriguez, who is in the final year of his contract, waived his no-trade clause to join the Yankees, sources told ESPN.com.

"He's hitting over .290 I believe and he's been hot so we're looking forward to having him," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after New York's 13-3 rout of the Orioles on Wednesday.

Rodriguez is batting .295 this season with five home runs and 32 RBIs in 82 games. In 18 seasons with the Rangers, Marlins and Tigers, he's hit .302 with 293 homers and 1,214 RBIs.

A 14-time All-Star, Rodriguez won the American League MVP award in 1999 and for years was known as the best defensive catcher in the game. He earned Gold Gloves in 13 seasons.

Wow, Cashman is a genius. A very useful everyday catcher for a reliever no Yankee fan trusts regardless how many good outings he had.

Maybe this further opens the door for another Yankee farmhand later this season?

Now there's no question that I-Rod is not the same player he was in his prime. But the guy can still play and he's certainly a big upgrade over Jose Molina as the starting catcher.

I-Rod is playing for a contract over the offseason so this is a great situation for him to work his magic as he did with the Marlins in 2003 and the Tigers in 2006.

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ESPN reporting it as well

Here’s the link.

by Eric Simon on Jul 30, 2008 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what's his contract status?

How many past-their-prime guys do they need?

by long time listener on Jul 30, 2008 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Contract is good for the Yanks

He had his $13 million option for 2008 picked up before the season, so he is a free agent at the end of the year. He was the last Type A catcher according to this past offseason’s Elias rankings, so if he stays right there the Yanks would get two draft picks were he to sign elsewhere at the end of the year.

by Eric Simon on Jul 30, 2008 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A great point

And something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Those draft picks have become gold the last few years.

by anaconda on Jul 30, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I told you

Jose couldn’t hit enough. And I suggested Pudge a while ago. Thanks for reading the blog, Brian.

Yee-frickin’-haw!!!

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 30, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Great move. And nobody trusted Kyle. Marte for the time being becomes the 8th inning guy. His velocity was down to 91 yesterday which is unusual.

by John Amato on Jul 30, 2008 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy Cow

I take back every crappy thing I said about Brian Cashman.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Jul 30, 2008 4:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm feeling better about this trade

Pudge is (obviously) an offensive upgrade over Molina/Moeller. This makes us a little stronger against lefties, too. And for a guy who, though he’s been effective all year, we don’t really want.

I was just reading his Wikipedia page and I saw “Rodriguez married Maribel Rivera …” I read “Maribel” as “Mariano” for a second and screamed “WHAT??!” Good thing I keep my office door closed.

by long time listener on Jul 30, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually saw some tears in the Yankee clubhouse from Girardi

Not sure if those were tears of joy or tears of sadness.

by anaconda on Jul 30, 2008 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

An interesting thing to watch

will be who does the pitch calling. Pudge has a rep of too many fastballs with runners on.
I want Girardi or the pitchers to call the mix.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jul 30, 2008 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great move ...

Believe it or not, I’m sad to see Farnzie go. He was pitching well, but as someone above said, he wasn’t trusted. The knock on Pudge is too many fastballs with runners on because he doesn’t want to hurt his throwing out runners percentage.

Girardi won’t let that happen. Not a chance.

This was a no-brainer move.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jul 31, 2008 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kyle was upset too

Girardi felt really bad about trading him…

by John Amato on Jul 30, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Manny may be going to the Marlins

Gammons looks so sad…

by John Amato on Jul 30, 2008 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What a surprise!

I got the news in an email from my dad at about 4:30, and had to restrain a cheer. What an unexpected and surprising trade. I wonder if we’ll acquire a starter at the last minute. Somehow I have a feeling this is the last deal Cashman will make unless we acquire someone off waivers.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Jul 30, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was at the game today

and came home to this news. i think it’s a no lose situation. like others have said, let him play for a contract, sign somewhere else and the yanks collect the draft picks..

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Jul 30, 2008 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bye Bye Kyle

Kyle, I will enjoy watching you in Detroit and blowing games. Giriadi was crying because your leaving, but I am not. You are worse than Tom Gordon in the 2004 ALCS. I have never seen some one give up more runs than you with the exception of Tood Jones. Todd Jones and you on the same team. What a bullpen diaster.

by jerseyboyinmi on Jul 30, 2008 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Farnsworth for Pudge?! Who wouldn't jump on that?

With Posada under the knife this morning ,I couldn’t ask for much more of a deal.Pudge is a class act and one helluva ball player.Fans and players alike love the guy wherever he’s been…sorry Girardi will miss Kyle ,but I won’t.I’ll miss Moeller more.Nice of Girardi to let him play one last time in the “Stadium”...don’t think he’ll be back again..at least not this year.
Sexon,NANDY,Marte and now PUDGE..nice work Brian Cashman!!! Damon back in the line up too. The BoSux are emploding behind all the ego-drama,the baby Rays are starting to feel the pressure and the Yanks are being given a baseball equivalent of Viagara! #27 is really starting to look like more of a reality every day!

Pinstripelifer

by Pinstripelifer on Jul 30, 2008 11:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does this open a spot for Melancon?

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jul 31, 2008 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good News Everyone!

Unless you’re Chad Moeller, I guess…

Seriously though, I got on a plane for Seattle, and when I landed and woke up, we got rid of Professor Farnsworthless AND Hawkins! And we got Pudge! And the Yankees beat down the Orioles.

I gotta get outta town more often…

by mrljdavid on Jul 31, 2008 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs