MLB

FOX Sports Exclusive

Yanks get Kearns from Indians

Share This Story

Jon Paul Morosi

Jon Paul Morosi is a national MLB writer for FOXSports.com. He previously covered baseball for the Detroit Free Press and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He began his journalism career at the Bay City Times in his native Michigan. Follow him on Twitter.

MORE>>
 
     
 

TORONTO

Apparently, Austin Kearns impressed the New York Yankees this week.

Kearns went 3-for-9 against New York in a series better known as the (ongoing) vigil for Alex Rodriguez’s 600th career home run.

HEARD THE LATEST?

If you missed any MLB news, get caught up. Check out our MLB Buzz Blog.

On Friday night, less than 24 hours after the Yankees departed Cleveland, they acquired Kearns from the Indians for a player to be named or cash.

With the Yankees, the 30-year-old will have the chance to reach the postseason for the first time.

“It’s why you play,” he said, after the Indians lost to the Blue Jays, 8-1. “It’s why we all play. You play to win. Obviously, you want to do well personally. But the bottom line is you play to win and get a ring. That’s what means the most.”

Yankee Stadium will be a little foreign to Kearns, who before this season had spent his entire career with National League clubs. He said “the only guy there that I have any connection with” is Nick Johnson, a former Washington teammate who is on the disabled list.

When asked what he thought living in New York would be like, the Kentucky native replied, “I have no idea. I’ll worry about that when I have to. I’m sure it’ll be a little different speed for me. But I’ll make the adjustment.”

Kearns expects to join his new team Saturday. He said he hadn’t spoken with the Yankees yet about his role.

“When you get the opportunity to go there, you don’t worry about that kind of thing,” he said. “You’re going to a team where (there are) bigger and better things than worrying about playing time.

“If you ask anybody, playing in that atmosphere — whether you’re on the home team or visiting team — is fun, man. A packed house, playing on a winner, you can’t ask for anything more.”

Kearns is enjoying his finest season since at least 2007, batting .272 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs in 83 games. He had been Cleveland’s everyday left fielder but also spent time in right and center.

In New York, the right-handed Kearns will probably start in left field against some left-handed pitchers and serve as a bat off the bench.

Kearns had been traded only once before, from the Reds to the Nationals in July 2006. That deal was considerably more difficult for Kearns, who enjoyed playing in the nearest big-league city to his Kentucky home.

“The Cincinnati thing was a little different, just because we were a game out at the break,” he said. “I had been there through the losing times. Like I told everybody then, I think it was harder for my dad than anybody, because my dad would drive up and go to every game.

“This is something where it’s a great opportunity to go to a winner. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Tagged: Indians, Yankees, Austin Kearns

More Stories From Jon Paul Morosi

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

ADD A COMMENT
    PREV PREV   NEXT NEXT    
ADD A COMMENT
    PREV PREV   NEXT NEXT    
FOX Fantasy Baseball Game 2012


Trending Now

MLB Videos

Morosi: AL spring training headlines Posted: Feb 09, 2012
FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi discusses all the AL headlines heading into spri...

Morosi: NL spring training headlines Posted: Feb 09, 2012
FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi discusses all the NL headlines going into spring...

MLB2K12 - Verlander on Verlander Posted: Feb 08, 2012
Justin Verlander loses his mind playing himself on MLB2K12.

SimLeague Baseball - Simulation Baseball Game

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue
    Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt
    New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 16.95 New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat
    Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 27.95 Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt
    Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 29.95 Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet
    New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 28.95 New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat
    Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch
    Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 39.95 Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo..
    Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 99.95 Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White