Kuzul

Jon Heyman is reporting (via Twitter) Lance Berkman has been traded to the New York Yankees. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter), the Yankees will send pitcher Mark Melancon and second baseman Jimmy Paredes to Houston.

The Yankees Get
It has been a disappointing season for Berkman, hitting .245 with 13 HR, 49 RBI and 39 R.  He has suffered from some below average luck, with a BABIP of .279, his lowest mark since seeing just 93 AB in 1999.  His strikeouts are also at a career high, though it’s not a huge regression (23.5% strikeout rate vs. a career mark of 20.2%).

The 34-year old underwent knee surgery in spring training, costing him the first few weeks of the season.  It certainly is possible that it has affected his play, so no longer having to ensure the grind of playing nine innings in the field could be extremely advantageous.

He has started to flash the power lately, with 6 HR in July.  

Moving into a stacked lineup in a hitter’s friendly park certainly could help his numbers across the board.  Without much speed and likely sliding into the sixth or seventh spot in the lineup, the runs are not going to increase by much, if at all.  Besides that, this seems like a perfect fit for him.  While he’s not likely to be the Berkman of old, he easily should be considered a usable option in all formats.

The short porch in left should help his recent power surge.  He’ll have less pressure on him, and with better luck the average should come around.  In that lineup, he should have plenty of chances to drive in runs.

Again, he’s not likely to be elite, but this deal certainly gives him a boost in value.

The Astros Get
Paredes is 21-years old and currently playing at Single-A.  In 404 AB he’s hitting .282 with 5 HR, 48 RBI, 59 R and 36 SB.  There’s no questioning his speed, but his strikeout-to-walk ratio is a terrible 82-to-18.  He was undrafted out of the Dominican Republic and had just 18 BBs in 366 AB the prior two seasons.  He needs to improve on that aspect of his game in order to have any success.

Melancon has seen time in the major leagues the past two seasons, but is a middle reliever who likely won’t see time closing games.  At Triple-A this season he has a 3.67 ERA and 58 Ks over 56.0 innings.  His problem this year is walks, with 31 this season, though that has not been a problem in previous seasons.  He’s not likely to hold value in fantasy formats.

Seems like a poor return for Berkman, but they do clear some money off the books (though they did send some money to the Yankees as part of the trade).  What are your thoughts?

Make sure to check out our trade deadline analysis:

• Yunel Escober for Alex Gonzalez
• Alberto Callaspo traded to the Angels
• Dan Haren traded to the Angels
• Jhonny Peralta to the Tigers
• Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers
• Roy Oswalt to the Phillies for J.A. Happ and 2 minor leaguers
• Jorge Cantu to the Rangers
• Miguel Tejada to the Padres
• Matt Capps to the Twins for Wilson Ramos
• Edwin Jackson to the White Sox
• Christian Guzman to the Rangers

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Various media sources are reporting the New York Yankees have acquired Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros to be their DH.

This is clearly in reaction to the Phillies acquiring Roy Oswalt, as they don’t want to look as though they did nothing during the trade deadline, while the Phillies vastly upgraded their team.

They say that the only reason the trade has not gone through are the MLB rules that a team must wait 24 hours until after a player with a 10-and-5 player, someone who has spent 10 years in the league, the last five with one team waives his NTC. 

By trading Berkman and Oswalt in the last few days, there is absolutely no question what mode the Astros are in. They are sellers and they are committed to it, which is great, but the sad thing is that they could not get a big name prospect because of Berkman’s large salary, and so were perfectly happy to get rid of it.

The Steinbrenners approved the acquisition of a large salary because it was what their father would have done, why mess with success? This shows that even with the death of George Steinbrenner the Yankees will continue their free spending ways, and as well they should. Hopefully the sons some day put their own stamp on the organization but for now it will be run the way the Boss would want it.

By adding Berkman the Yankees get a beast of a DH, even though the Yankees have a solid offense. We all know the glowing things I want to say about Berkman. So let’s just get to the Yankees. 

The Yankees already boast one of the best, if not the best offense in the MLB. In terms of runs scored, they are number one, fifth in homeruns, fourth in batting average, and sixth in hits. Did they really need to add another bat to their lineup? Is this just the envy that the Blue Jays have way more homeruns? Your guess is as good as mine.

However, when you look at the Yankees pitching, a different story emerges. They are ninth in ERA. Not bad but not great, which is what you need to compete with playoff teams and we all know the Yankees only care about the playoffs. They are also fifth in WHIP, which is phenomenal considering they play in Yankee Stadium but only fifteenth in saves and they have the Sandman, Mariano Rivera!

Say what you want, the Yankees clearly needed pitching more than they needed the offense they get from Lance Berkman. I guess they just thought the price on Berkman was great. So if you have a great deal why plug your holes with a mediocre one?

In the end, I think they should have gone after Oswalt and Lee harder and try to get something done there. A lot of complaints is that after Sabathia, and Pettite but after that the pitchers just tail off. They should upgrade their pitching in my opinion, even if that comes at the price of part of their offense. 

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It looks like long-time Astros star Lance Berkman is headed to the Yankees, according to ESPN. 

The Texas native, who even played at Rice University in Houston, is finally leaving the sinking franchise. For Berkman, it essentially accelerates the inevitable. This is his last year on contract, and with the trade for Brett Wallace yesterday, it seemed like it would only be a matter of time before the switch-hitter would be on his way out of town.

For the Astros, the deal looks to be a good step in rebuilding.

It allows them to play recent acquisition Wallace, a 24-year-old first baseman who has had his offensive prowess praised. It will likely be his first shot at the majors, on his fourth team in the last two years.

The Astros also will receive high-level prospects or monetary relief, though knowing the Yankees, I would bet they get monetary relief. They will likely also get some sort of prospect, and with Houston in the middle of rebuilding, any sort of youth will help revitalize a stagnant team and farm system. 

For the Yankees, I can’t claim to see what they would need Berkman for. He could play first base, or possibly, corner outfield. However, with all of those spots filled in New York, he will more likely be a DH. He could also be used to give some regulars a day off (and push Marcus Thames further down the bench).

If he does well this season, the Yankees could conceivably keep him next year, as he has a $15 million team option.

In any case, Berkman will certainly add to their offense. After a slow start (partially due to missing spring training and the season opener with an injury), he has rebounded with 13 home runs and a .245/.372/.436 line, with a 117 OPS+ (meaning his offense has been 17% above league average) and 1.9 Wins Above Replacement (essentially, how much a player is worth above an average player).

Should they decide to keep him next year, his numbers may see improvement with the return of his health.

As a Houston resident (although rather indifferent towards the Astros), it is disappointing to see Berkman go. He has always been respectable. However, this trade should likely improve both sides.

The trade will go through unless Berkman changes his mind within the next 24 hours.

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The Lance Berkman trade isn’t even official yet and the word is that the Yankees are already moving on. According to both Buster Olney and Jack Curry, the Yankees are working on other deals and expect to make at least one, maybe two, more trades.

What else are the Yankees looking for? Well, they’ve added a full-time DH, but they still need an outfielder that can hit lefties. The ideal person would be somebody who can start in left field so the Yankees can move Brett Gardner to center and sit Curtis Granderson against tough lefties.

They also are still in search of some bullpen help. It doesn’t appear that there has been anything going on with the Blue Jays, but the Diamondbacks’ Chad Qualls is one name that has been mentioned.

Infield help could still be had as well. Berkman can play first base, but they could still use somebody to spell third baseman Alex Rodriguez every couple of days. Ramiro Pena currently has the job, but he’s nearly an automatic out.

Really, the only thing the Berkman trade changes is that it removes Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn from consideration.

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As the MLB trade deadline approaches, Twins’ fans are asking themselves, “What else you got up your sleeve, Bill?”

Minnesota GM Bill Smith acquired Nationals’ closer Matt Capps on Thursday for Wilson Ramos.

This shores up the bullpen and allows Jon Rauch to move back into the setup role. However, the Twins still need some help in the starting rotation.

With Justin Morneau’s slow recovery from a concussion, the team could use an insurance policy at first base.

Danny Valencia is on a hot streak, so the hole at third appears to have been plugged, at least for now.

Here are five players Smith should be making some inquiries about.

The closer we get to the deadline, the stiffer the competition for these players will become.

Lance Berkman: .296, 13 HR, 49 RBI

The Yankees, White Sox, and Rays are all interested in Berkman. Reports are the Yankees are close to a deal.

Although the 34-year-old, switch-hitting first baseman has not played outfield since 2007, he could add some flexibility to the Twins’ lineup, allowing Michael Cuddyer to move back to right field.

His salary at $14.5 million may be a little steep for the Twins, but with a club option for 2011, he could be a half-year rent-a-player.

Adam Dunn: .277, 24 HR, 64 RBI

According to trade rumors, the same teams are looking at Adam Dunn.  Perhaps Smith can put together another deal with Washington GM Mike Rizzo.

The 30-year-old left-hander would immediately provide another power punch to the lineup for skipper Ron Gardenhire.

Having played outfield as recently as last year, this move would provide the same flexibility as Berkman. With his power in the lineup as the DH, Jim Thome could be on the bench as a capable pinch-hitter.

With a slightly lower salary at $12 million, and the fact he is a free agent at the end of the year, he would certainly only be a Twin for a little more than two months.

Scott Downs: 2.34 ERA, 42.1 IP, 35 Strikeouts, 10 Walks

The Twins have been talking to Toronto for the 34-year-old left-hander. With the trade for Capps, this talk may be slowing down.

With the promotion of Brian Duensing to the starting rotation, the Twins could use another left-hander from the bullpen. Downs currently leads the Toronto bullpen with a 2.34 ERA and a 1.016 WHIP. Only Duensing had better numbers for the Twins’ bullpen.

Paul Maholm: 4.52 ERA, 6-9 Record

As I wrote last week, the 28-year-old left-hander had been under most teams’ radar.

Not anymore.

The Padres and Dodgers are interesting in acquiring the starter from the last place Pittsburgh Pirates.

He averages less than one home run per nine innings pitched, and a $5 million salary is not out of reach for the Twins.

Brett Myers: 3.10 ERA, 8-6 Record

The Twins were never serious contenders for Roy Oswalt. Perhaps Smith can find a way to get Houston GM Ed Wade to move another starter from the Astros’ rotation.

With his $3.1 million salary, Brett Myers may be the best starter this year for the Astros.

At 29, Myers is only three years Oswalt’s junior.

A free agent at the end of the season, Myers could be a decent rental player, with an opportunity to sign to a long-term contract.

He compares favorably with the Twins staff, with a 8-6 record for the fifth-place Astros.

The Chicago White Sox have been rumored to be interested in Myers.

The acquisition of Capps was a decent move for Smith, but if this team wants to get past the divisional round of the playoffs, they will need to step up and pull off a deal.

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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.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

According to Joel Sherman, of the New York Post, the Yankees are very close to acquiring Houston Astros’ first baseman, Lance Berkman.

The Big Puma is hitting a subpar .245 this year, with 13 home runs and 49 RBI.

Certainly not the best looking average, but he does have decent run production numbers, plus he was hurt earlier this season, so the numbers might be a bit off.

Berkman would likely serve as a DH primarily for the Yankees, if he is acquired that is.

He is a switch hitter and has a .549 slugging percentage, which can be a dangerous combination at Yankee Stadium—just ask Mickey Mantle.

Both Mantle and Berkman hit from both sides of the plate, and their career slugging percentages are similar, with Mantle at .557. Very comparable to one another.

Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, points out that nothing is complete, but Berkman could be yet another strong bat in the Yankees already deep lineup.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The San Francisco Giants enter the last week before the Major League Baseball trade deadline three games behind the San Diego Padres in the National League West. The Giants have so far won on the heels of their tremendous starting rotation, but there are other pieces needed if the Giants are to return to the postseason. Those pieces? Bats.

The Giants are 10th in the National League in runs scored but still have won eight of their last 10. Now is the time for the Giants to get the big piece at the plate that will help them get over their offensive inconsistencies and put pressure on the front-running Padres.

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Picture Mark Kotsay wearing a blue and white Royals uniform. Got that image? It’s easy to imagine, right? That’s because Kotsay is that caliber of player. He’s not the caliber of player that should be “contributing” on a playoff caliber team such as the White Sox.

The Red Sox knew that last season, and that’s why they waived him .

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. Mark Kotsay should not be in the middle of the White Sox lineup .

Allow me to break down the positives that Mark Kotsay brings to a baseball team:

Kotsay is a nice guy to have come off the bench and pinch hit against a tough righty.

He’s also able to play a couple positions, which makes him valuable over the course of a 162 game season.

The end.

Notice I didn’t bring up his ability to produce consistent numbers for 162 games. That’s because he isn’t a player who is capable of doing that anymore.

Oh, and you may be wondering how he hits lefties. Chew on this number: .000

That’s right, we’re in mid-July and Slugger Mark is still hit-less against southpaws .

So what’s my point? Why complain about a guy when there’s not a preferable replacement already there? (I like Viciedo as much as anyone, but he needs more at bats before he should be an everyday player.)

The point is this: there is a guy out there who could be the left handed bat that the White Sox need and chances are it won’t take the farm to get him: Lance Berkman.

Now I’m aware that Berkman is not the same puma of old. However, even in a down year, his power potential and OBP would be welcomed additions to the middle of the Sox lineup.

The Astros are reluctant sellers, but it’s no secret that they want to get some return for Berkman as opposed to declining his 15 MM option next season and having him walk away.

I wrote about the fact that the Sox should not trade away their best young talent for Adam Dunn and I feel the same way with Berkman.

The difference between the two situations is that the Sox can get Berkman for less than they’d have to give up to get Adam Dunn. In addition to that, they would have the option of bringing him back for another season (albeit at an absurd amount).

Kenny Williams is an aggressive, ambitious, and occasionally reckless GM. He’s seeing the same thing we as fans are seeing. He knows that Mark Kotsay is not an adequate DH.

Now all we can do is wait and hope that Kenny pulls the trigger on a deal that gives the South Siders a legitimate chance at making a playoff run.

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The All-Star break has come and gone, and with the trade deadline under two weeks away, we will soon see who the “buyers” and “sellers” will be this season.

However, with the current state of the economy and a number of teams losing money, teams could be looking to cheaper solutions to make their pennant run, as opposed to acquiring the big-name players available on the market.

So here are the ten players who would have already been with a different team five years ago, but instead will find themselves sticking with their current teams because of their hefty contracts.

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