The Yankees were looking to make a splash at the trading deadline.
At first, it looked like they would add a pitcher. Then Cliff Lee went to the Rangers, Dan Haren went to the Angels, and Roy Oswalt went to the Phillies. Plus, Joakim Soria of the Royals had the Yankees on his no-trade list. So the Yankees needed a Plan B.
Plan B might end up being “Plan Berkman,” as the Yankees are on the verge of making a trade to get former All-Star first basemen Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros on the night before the July 31 MLB trading deadline.
According to sources, the Steinbrenners gave a pre-approval for Brian Cashman to add payroll to help enhance their chances to repeat as World Series Champions.
The Yankees would take on the rest of Berkman’s 2010 contract.
Earlier in the day, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that Berkman would approve a trade to the Yankees and play alongside former Astros teammate and friend Andy Pettitte.
Without having to give up any prospects and just pay out the rest of Berkman’s contract, it looks like Cashman has finally made his big splash this summer at the deadline.
In 2010, Berkman is hitting .249 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI. As a switch hitter in Yankee Stadium, though, Berkman’s home run totals could dramatically increase with the ballpark being very friendly towards lefty hitters.
Berkman does have a $15 million dollar option for 2011 with a $2 million dollar buyout, but according to a Twitter link from Alyson Footer of the Astros, he doesn’t want his new team to pick up his option, so it looks like Berkman will be a three-month rental in pinstripes.
At 34, Berkman is getting older and his power numbers are down from previous seasons, but getting a trade to a contender in a home run friendly ballpark can certainly rejuvenate a player.
This will also be the first time Berkman will put on anything other than an Astros’ uniform, as he has been a career Astro since his rookie year in 1999.
Adding Berkman to an offense with Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Curtis Granderson only makes the Yankees a stronger team and a deeper lineup that pitchers will fear facing every night.
As long as the deal goes through, it looks like the Yankees have only gotten stronger and tougher for the second half of 2010.
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