FOX Sports Exclusive
Yankees behaving like the Yankees
Share This Story
What the heck are the Yankees doing in acquiring Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns and a utility infielder to be named any minute now?
Addressing their weaknesses as only they can.
The Yankees entered Friday thinking, “OK, we’ve got money. Few other clubs do. Let’s flex our muscles.”
They didn’t do anything too obnoxious, at least not by classic Steinbrenner standards. But at a time when most teams are counting every dollar, a time when teams such as the Dodgers and Rangers require financial assistance in virtually every trade, the Yankees are uniquely positioned to prey on the market.
Looking to purge your first baseman? Ready to dump your right fielder? Step right up, the Yankees are here to help!
“We’re like a clearinghouse,” one Yankees official said. “We’ve got a lot of applicants. We’re going through it, looking at the ones we’re interested in.”
Berkman made the cut, replacing the injured Nick Johnson as the team’s primary DH after the Yankees gave up on a trade for Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn.
Kearns made the cut because he is a far better defensive outfielder than Marcus Thames, the right-handed hitter he is likely to replace.
The infielder to be named will make the cut because he offers more offense than Ramiro Pena, the current insurance policy for third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
Quick. Bloodless. And not all that costly, in either dollars or prospects.
The Yankees will assume just $3 million of Berkman’s remaining $7 million obligation. Kearns is owed only about $250,000 and the next addition does not figure to be terribly expensive, either.
Of course, the Yankees will be paying Berkman and Johnson a combined $8.5 million for one roster spot. If they dump Thames, they basically would have blown $2 million combined on Thames and Randy Winn, who is now with the Cardinals. But hey, it’s not as if they’re in Raul Mondesi territory.
The bench has been a relative weak spot of recent Yankees teams, in part because the club invests so heavily in its stars. This season, players such as Greg Golson, Colin Curtis, Kevin Russo and Chad Huffman have donned Yankees uniforms, in part due to injuries.
Without question, Berkman and Kearns should help. But they are not locks to succeed.
Berkman, in the middle of a career-worst season, must adjust to a new role in a new league in a new city, one that offers far less of a comfort zone than his native Houston.
Kearns, meanwhile, has spent his entire career playing for non-contenders. He started hot for the Indians, but since May 2 has batted only .248/.336/.368.
Bottom line is, both players amount to upgrades.
The Yankees acquired them because they can.
More Stories From Ken Rosenthal
Trending Now
-
Boy, 12, dies after hit by lacrosse ball
A 12-year-old boy has died in upstate New York after being hit in the chest with a la... -
Jacobs sorry for comments about Gisele
New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs apologized Wednesday for saying Gisele Bu... -
'Oil Can' Boyd reveals cocaine use
Former Red Sox pitcher Dennis 'Oil Can' Boyd says he pitched two-thirds of his games ... -
Report: Plaxico wants to join Eagles
New York Jets receiver Plaxico Burress is keen to fly the nest and join the Philadelp... -
LeBron: No regrets over dunk tweet
Miami Heat star LeBron James said Wednesday he will not apologize to Kendrick Perkins...
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...
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...
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.
Justin Verlander loses his mind playing himself on MLB2K12.
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
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 |
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.