Yanks' deal for Nady finalized...with a twist

by Ken Rosenthal

Updated: July 26, 2008, 6:57 PM EST 451 comments

The Pirates received a package of four minor-league players — Class AAA right-handers Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Daniel McCutchen, and Class AA outfielder Jose Tabata.

This is a change from the original package thought to be headed to Pittsburgh. Karstens and McCutchen were late replacements in the deal for Class AA left-hander Phil Coke and righty George Kontos, according to two sources familiar with the talks.

The deal was agreed to Friday, pending physicals. Early Saturday afternoon, the Yankees confirmed the trade was completed. Nady and Marte were with the team and both played in their 10-3 win over the Red Sox.

"It was hard to give up the players we did. I like those players," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in the New York dugout before Saturday's game. "The players we got back — Marte and Nady — both will hopefully contribute to the 2008 season and we have them for '09."

Cashman said he had been talking about Marte for a few days and Nady's name came up during his drive to Boston on Friday afternoon, with discussions heating up during batting practice Friday and carrying late into the night.

"I wouldn't have done it if it was rented for a few months," Cashman said.

Nady and Marte were both in uniform, Nady in No. 29 and Marte in 34. Nady was listed in the starting lineup, scheduled to play left field and bat seventh.

To make room, the Yankees optioned outfielder Brett Gardner to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and designated reliever LaTroy Hawkins for assignment.

"I think it's a very good move for us," manager Joe Girardi said. "Xavier is having a very good year. He's a guy that can play left field for us and another right-handed bat. And then we get Marte, who has been very good against left-handed hitters - and right-handers, too."

The deal with the Pirates might not be the Yankees' last before Thursday's unrestricted trade deadline. The team also is pursuing Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn for its rotation, and the Mariners spoke with Washburn on Friday about waiving his no-trade clause to the Yankees, according to a major-league source.

The Yankees have indicated that they will not give Washburn a contract extension or cash bonus for waiving his no-trade rights, but the source said that Washburn would not necessarily require either inducement, saying, "There are ways around that."

However the Washburn talks turn out, the Yankees already have addressed two of their biggest needs.

The Nady and Marte pickups were welcome additions to the Yankee roster.

The Yankees, with Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada on the disabled list and possibly lost for the year, needed another right-handed bat for their lefty loaded lineup.

Their all-righty bullpen has a 1.67 ERA over its last 23 games, and adding Marte gives them one of the top lefty specialists in baseball and provides manager Joe Girardi with another late-inning setup option for closer Mariano Rivera.

"There's so many unexpected things (that) happen this time of year," Alex Rodriguez said, "but when you hear those names, I don't think anyone can expect to get two quality players like that in the middle of their prime to help our team."

The Yankees were nine games out of first place in the AL East after games of July 6. Now they trail division-leading Tampa Bay by three. The Red Sox are one game behind the Rays.

"The Yankees ownership always gives us an opportunity to win so it's really not surprising," Derek Jeter said. "It seems like every year if they feel as though we need some different pieces to help us win they go out and get them."

Nady is batting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs in 88 games. Marte is 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 46 2-3 innings.

"They were two special guys in our clubhouse and two special guys on the field, and obviously they will be dearly missed," Pirates manager John Russell said.

Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline is July 31.

Pittsburgh, 48-55 and in fifth place in the NL Central after a 6-5 loss to San Diego, is trying to rebuild and avoid a 16th consecutive losing season at the same time.

"We felt that this was the best move for the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as being a very good move for X and Damaso," Russell said.

Ohlendorf was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA in 25 games with the Yankees this season. He was demoted on June 27, and had a 1-1 record with a 4.03 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Tabata, who was with Double-A Trenton, was batting .248 with three homers and 36 RBIs entering play Friday.

High-ranking Yankees officials gathered for meetings at their spring training complex Thursday. After a three-hour meeting, co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner confirmed one of the topics was indicted home run king Barry Bonds.

Steinbrenner wouldn't say if the Yankees are interested in Bonds, but it appears highly unlikely the team will pursue him after acquiring Nady.

"It helps out the team, not only now but also in the long run," Damon said of acquiring Nady. "He's one of the most underrated players around. I think he's one of the best outfielders in the game."

Marte fills a need for a lefty in an already strong bullpen.

"He's high energy," Damon said. "He's throwing legs and arms and everything at you."

Nady is in his sixth major league season. The 29-year-old played with San Diego and the New York Mets before joining Pittsburgh in the middle of the 2006 season. The 33-year-old Marte, in his ninth season, played for Seattle, Pittsburgh and the Chicago White Sox before returning to the Pirates at the start of the 2006 season.

"If those two play for us the way they've played against us," Jeter said, "they're really going to help."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.