“New York has acquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers on Wednesday for right-handed pitcher Kyle Farnsworth the reliever played for the Tigers in 2005.” (ESPN)
This trade bamboozles me. Pudge was finally starting to heat up after a dreadful first half, and the Tigers send him to the Yankees for an average relief arm. Granted the Tigers bullpen is in disarray and they definitely need more depth in that department, but why trade Pudge to a team that Detroit may have to face in October? Rodrgiuez’s batting average is approaching .300 and has been on fire the month of July. I suppose with Pudge’s contract ending after this season, the Tigers figured it would be best to get something for him.
This trade puts New York right back into the playoff picture that they were never really out of, stay with me here. Even in late May and early June when the Yankees were 10 games out of first place, you knew that by August they would find themselves right where they needed to be. If nothing else, this trade should turn your focus to the Red Sox, who have made no moves and have stumbled out of the all-star break losing 6 of their last 10 games. The A.L. East race is heating up, and the Yankees have made sure we don’t count them out.
-Brian B
