Berkman to the Yankees

[JWCUB]

The Yankees are on the verge of acquiring Lance Berkman, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the Steinbrenners have given pre-approval for the Yankees to take on a major salary such as Berkman's. The Yankees appear to be progressing quickly toward a Berkman deal, according to Olney (Twitter links). Though there's increased chatter on Berkman, nothing is done, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

 

Berkman would require that any team that trades for him not to pick up his 2011 option, according to Alyson Footer of the Astros (Twitter links).

[JWCUB]

4:32pm: Berkman approved a possible deal to the Yanks earlier today, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter).

 

4:20pm: The deal is "imminent," according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (on Twitter).

[jersey cubs fan]

I have no idea what the Yankees have been like this year, I guess he'd DH?

[JWCUB]

I have no idea what the Yankees have been like this year, I guess he'd DH?

 

 

That would be my guess. I have no idea who their DH is now.

[Clem Fandango]

I wonder if they'll be able to swindle Jesus Montero in the deal

[JWCUB]

Yankees Acquire Lance Berkman

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 30 at 5:09pm CST]

5:09pm: The deal is done and Berkman has approved it, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Yankees have to wait 24 hours before the deal is officially complete because of Berkman's ten and five rights.

[BCVM22]

That would be my guess. I have no idea who their DH is now.

 

It was supposed to be Nick Johnson, but he's... well, Nick Johnson. Looking at their recent lineups, it looks like they've been rotating the regulars in and out of the DH spot when and where necessary, and particularly getting good mileage out of catching Cervelli and DHing Posada.

 

I imagine this move allows them to stabilize the DH spot with another switch-hitter with power, particularly with the short porch in New York, who can also start a time or two a week at first base and the corner outfield spots, if they think his legs can handle it.

[erik316wttn]

Who's Houston getting in return?

[chopsx9]

Who's Houston getting in return?

 

 

Because it's the Yankees they don't have to give up anything in return. The privalage is its own reward.

[dew1679666265]

Looking like a bad deal for the Astros early on.

 

6:04pm: The Astros are picking up a lot of the money owed to Berkman and won't obtain top prospects in return, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The Yankees expect to make one or two more moves and continue working on trades

 

MLBTR

[imb]

Who's Houston getting in return?

 

 

Because it's the Yankees they don't have to give up anything in return. The privalage is its own reward.

 

love it

[OleMissCub]

Yankees Acquire Lance Berkman

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 30 at 5:09pm CST]

5:09pm: The deal is done and Berkman has approved it

 

No isht

[E.J.]

The end of the killer B's in Houston.

[dew1679666265]

The end of the killer B's in Houston.

 

They do still have Bourn and Bourgeois.

[Cubswin11]

What a horse [expletive] trade for the Astros. If they aren't going to get a top prospect in return, keep him and offer arbitration in the offseason and get pick(s).

[Iceblink]

Rosenthal posting on twitter that the Yanks have also picked up Austin Kearns.

[NCCubFan]

Rosenthal posting on twitter that the Yanks have also picked up Austin Kearns.

Yep, for the ever-popular PTBNL.

[davearm2]

LOL I don't even know Kearns was still in MLB.

[haubrich91]

Must be nice to be the Yankees.

[Post Count Padder]

Ed Wade is as intelligent as a rotten melon. Astros fans have gotta be pissed. Within 48 hours they see two of their franchise's most beloved players shipped off for spare parts.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The end of the killer B's in Houston.

 

They do still have Bourn and Bourgeois.

 

Dont foget bad.

[davell]

What a horse [expletive] trade for the Astros. If they aren't going to get a top prospect in return, keep him and offer arbitration in the offseason and get pick(s).

 

Berkman would command 15 mill or so through arb. No one would be willing to sign him to a longterm deal and give up picks.

 

Unfortunately, this is what baseball has come to, over the last few years. No one else can compete with the Yanks when it comes to money and in this economy, they can buy themselves into deals like this every deadline, if they choose to and won't have to worry about giving up decent players in return, since money has become such an issue for quite a few teams.

[davearm2]

Ed Wade is as intelligent as a rotten melon. Astros fans have gotta be pissed. Within 48 hours they see two of their franchise's most beloved players shipped off for spare parts.

Yeah because they were doing so well with them.

[Clem Fandango]

Because it's the Yankees they don't have to give up anything in return. The privalage is its own reward.

 

You were close...

 

The New York Yankees announced the completion of the deal just after 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 24 hours after Berkman agreed to waive the no-trade clause in his contract, as per Major League Baseball rules. In exchange for Berkman, the Yankees sent Triple-A right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes, an infielder playing for the Single-A Charleston River Dogs, to the Houston Astros.

 

The Yankees also received cash considerations from the Astros, who will assume a portion of Berkman's remaining salary for this season and next season. Berkman is in the last year of a six-year $85 million contract that paid him $14.5 million this season. He also has a $15 million club option for 2011 with a $2 million buyout. Of the slightly more than $7.15 million remaining on the contract, the Yankees will pay $3,150,273, while Houston will pay $4 million.

 

Melancon is a decent pitcher, but is a reliever. Perhaps they think he can be their closer of the future. Paredes looks to be a nice Juan Pierre replica, but with a bit more XB pop. He has little to no plate patience... 42BB in 1,000+ minor league AB's.

 

So yeah, they pretty much got Lance Berkman for some guys they would probably never get any mileage out of.