A Great Day For The Yankees

Right before the New York Yankees 1-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees made a move that could really help them in the next two months. They sent 4 minor leaguers, one of them being their third best prospect in outfielder Jose Tabata, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for outfielder Xavier Nady and left-handed reliever Damaso Marte. This is just more bad news for the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, the two teams ahead of New York in the American League East standings.

The Yankees plan to use Nady mostly as a left fielder in the Bronx. Nady was having an excellent season in Pittsburgh, the best of his career, as he was hitting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI. Nady also owns a .383 on-base percentage and a .535 slugging percentage. He could end up having a big impact in the bottom of a Yankee lineup that is in need of a right-handed power bat.

Meanwhile, Marte is also enjoying a solid season for the Pirates. Marte is 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA a 1.16 WHIP, 5 saves and 15 holds. Marte has also struck out 47 hitters in 46.2 innings, good for a 9.06 K/9 ratio. Marte will not have the same role that he had in Pittsburgh, as he was a late inning reliever there. In New York, Marte will likely be a lefty specialist used only in certain situations. A potential problem with the acquisition of Marte could be his adjustment to the American League. The hitters are better, and the lineups are much deeper. If Marte can make the transition, he may turn the Yankees into World Series champions.

As for the Pirates, they got Tabata and three pitchers. Tabata, although ranked high in the Yankees farm system, was struggling with Double-A Trenton, hitting only .248 with 3 home runs, 36 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 79 games. He has a lot potential, but also had a lot of run-ins with coaches in the minors. His potential may end up not being worth the baggage. However, Tabata is just 19-years old and could outgrow his immaturity. Overall, he is a very intriguing prospect, one that makes the deal worthwhile for Pittsburgh.

As for the three pitchers Pittsburgh acquired, 26-year old Ross Ohlendorf was the only one with major league experience. Ohlendorf was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA last year in 25 games with the Yankees. He has pitched in the Minor Leagues throughout this season.

The other two pitchers Pittsburgh acquired have pitched well in the minors this year. 26-year old southpaw Phil Coke was 9-4 with a 2.60 ERA in 20 games with Trenton. 23-year old righthander George Kontos was 3-9 with a 3.77 ERA in 20 starts for Trenton.

As of now, this trade seems to be in favor of the Yankees. Nady and Marte figure to be big parts in New York's charge towards the playoffs. The three pitchers traded to Pittsburgh do not figure to be anything special and currently, the jury is out on Tabata as he is struggling in Double-A. In five years though, this trade may swing in favor of Pittsburgh if Tabata turns into a solid outfielder and any of the three pitchers become members of the Pirates rotation and/or bullpen. For this year though, it will be interesting to see if Nady and Marte can help bring a World Series back to New York for the first time since 2000.