A look into the surprising Pudge deal

While at work today, I received a text message saying the New York Yankees made a deal to acquire Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. I must say this was a complete shock to me and I was immediately filled with joy. The other names out there would not have been much of an upgrade over our current catching duo, but this, this is definitely an upgrade. Initially I thought we probably gave up no one of interest, a Double-A prospect with minimal chance of major league success. To my surprise I get home from work and see this deal was even better then I thought, we were able to dump Kyle Farnsworth. This is a fantasy style trade where both the Detroit Tigers and the Yankees sold their player high and fill a need. Let’s look at the deal.

First, Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees faithful have never been a fan of this guy. Actually, check that, when he first came in flashing that fastball there was definitely excitement. The excitement quickly dissipated when he started to fail in every big situation, in almost every big game. He quickly proved that he was a player who couldn’t handle the big lights in the big city. Even so, Farnsworth has put up a pretty good season after two sub-par years with the team. His era currently stands at 3.65 through 44 and a third innings, and back to striking out about a batter per inning. His stock couldn’t of been any higher then it is right now as he’s sporting a 2.16 era in the month of July through 10 appearances. It was definitely time to move him in the right deal.

The Tigers major need is bullpen, especially with the recent demotion of closer Todd Jones. Jones is still on the major league roster but has lost his closing job to Fernando Rodney (no idea why since he’s been just as bad). While Rodney and Joel Zumaya work their way backs from prior injuries the Tigers just weren’t sure how durable this bullpen is. Enter, Farnsworth. Kyle was a former Tiger and performed admirable with them, striking out 55 in 42 innings and having a career season giving up only 1 homer and a 2.32 era. Farnsworth should compete with Jones and Zumaya for eighth inning work but quickly get some closer work when Rodney begins to struggle.

Ivan Rodriguez. In mid-June, Pudge pretty much hit rock bottom. On June 10th his average was sitting at .250 and Tigers manager Jim Leyland pretty much had enough of it. It was decided that the Tigers would start alternating catchers each day, one day Pudge and Brandon Inge the next. Leyland thought he’d hit a wall and this was a way to get him some rest. Well Pudge wasn’t happy and responded in a big way. Since then he’s been batting well over .300 bringing his season total up to a .295 in about 30 games. When the month of July began, Pudge had his job back and he’s been flourishing with 3 four hit games this month. For the Tigers, they had no intentions of bringing Rodriguez back next year and if someone could provide them help in the bullpen it was the perfect time for them to sell. And the Yankees sure came a calling.

The Yankees had a big hole left at the catching position after the injury to Jorge Posada. The season ending labrum surgery left them without a true everyday catcher. I’m sorry to say people it’s not Jose Molina he proved that early in the season. He’s a great role player but not your every day guy. Pudge gives the Yankees a player who can now catch daily, and Molina gives them a very capable back-up when he needs a day off. There is no chance of him replacing Posada’s bat but he will give you outstanding defense and leadership. This guy is a proven winner and the Yankees could always use another player with championship attitude in that clubhouse.

“You talk about a Hall of Fame catcher coming in here,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s been hot, so I’m looking forward to him being here.”

In the end, this is the perfect trade deadline deal. Teams trade their players high, solve their needs and even put the players involved in a better situation. And just to boot, both players are free agents at the end of the season. Yankees and Tigers fans be pleased, you got two month rentals and didn’t have to give up any prospects.

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Tags: Detroit Tigers, MLB, New York Yankees