Yanks acquire Austin Kearns

Apparently, the Yankees aren’t done. After landing Lance Berkman earlier today – that deal is official and will be announced tomorrow – the Yankees have also landed Indians outfielder, Austin Kearns for a PTBNL. Kearns, 30, has hit .268/.351/.413 this year with Cleveland, and will likely serve as an outfield bench bat while with New York (Kearns is also a pretty good defensive player). As I’ve said already today, more on this tomorrow…

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Yanks sending Melancon to Houston

Here are Melancon’s numbers – I’ve written about him before – and here are Paredes’ numbers.

Losing Melancon is a big deal, as he was billed as Mariano Rivera’s heir. More on this tomorrow…

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Yankees close to acquiring Lance Berkman

Wow, talk about unexpected (although the guys at RAB suggested it earlier today). According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the Yankees are close to acquiring Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros.

Despite somewhat of an off-year (brought on by injuries, bad luck, etc.), Berkman, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated players in recent memory (mainly on the offensive side), and should fit in well with the Yankees given his offensive approach . He’ll cost some money – he’s owed around $7M for the rest of the year and Houston wanted salary relief – in addition to a “non-prospect minor-leaguer” or two, but this is a great get for Brian Cashman. Berkman will ultimately agree to the deal – he’s a 10-and-5 guy – and it will probably be announced by tomorrow. As a Yankee, Berkman will man the DH slot, while spelling Mark Teixeira at first base on occasion.

Sorry, Nick Johnson. Big Puma will don the pinstripes…

Photo by Getty Images

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Quick Bits: Recap, Posada, Joba, Downs

Here are a few quick items on the day:

• Thanks mainly to rookie right-hander, Josh Tomlin, the Yankees lost to Cleveland last night, 4-1.
• Jorge Posada missed yesterday’s game with a sore left knee. Posada also admitted to dealing with a cyst in the back of the knee – the culprit for the soreness – all season. Posada will likely DH today.
• Joel Sherman writes that Joba Chamberlain has lost his role as the Yankees’ setup-up man.
• According to the NY Post, if the Yankees want Scott Downs, they’ll have to send Joba to Toronto.

The Yankees should just give up on the thought of trading within their own division. At this point, AL East teams will require not only an arm and a leg, but a heart and soul, in order to deal (see Ty Wigginton). It’s absurd.

Photo by Getty Images

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G99: Yankees @ Indians

Here are the lineups for tonight via LoHud:

YANKEES (63-35)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Juan Miranda 1B
Brett Gardner LF

LHP CC Sabathia (13-3, 3.18)

INDIANS (41-58)
Trevor Crowe CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Austin Kearns LF
Shelley Duncan DH
Jhonny Peralta 3B
Matt LaPorta 1B
Jason Donald 2B
Chris Gimenez C

RHP Josh Tomlin

TIME/TV: 7:05 p.m. / MY9

CC takes on the rookie. Should be fun. Enjoy.

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Yanks on Soria’s no-trade list?

Via ESPN New York:

If the Yankees are indeed interested in acquiring Kansas City Royals All-Star closer Joakim Soria, they will face one more hurdle — a no-trade clause.The Yankees are one of the six teams on Soria’s no-trade list, a baseball official with knowledge of the contract tells ESPN New York.

Perhaps Soria – or his representation – believes that by placing the Yankees on his no-trade list, he can then leverage that clause, if a trade occurs, in order to improve upon his current deal (so, instead of option years through 2012-2014 – his contract’s current configuration – he will seek guaranteed money and years).

Photo by Getty Images

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Yanks trying to move Chan Ho Park?

Via Jayson Stark of ESPN:

Here’s a big name to add to your distinguished list of available relievers: #Yankees trying to unload Chan Ho (7 HR in 32.1 IP) Park #trades

Park has had a solid July, but beyond that he has not been a trustworthy reliever for Joe Girardi and the Yankees. I could see a National League team buy low on him.

Photo by Getty Images

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Quick Bits: Recap, Joba/K-Rob, Garza, Haren, Downs

Here are a few quick items on the day:

• Thanks to Curtis Granderson and Javier Vazquez, the Yankees beat the Indians last night, 3-2.
• The Yankees actually won without Joba Chamberlain, as Dave Robertson setup for Mariano Rivera.
• Boone Logan also helped in the eighth last night. Joe Girardi said the bullpen calls were matchup-based.
• Matt Garza threw a no-hitter last night. I’m just surprised that the Rays weren’t the ones who were no-hit.
• Dan Haren took a liner off his forearm in his debut with the Angels. That’s bad karma for not joining NY.
• The Yankees and the Red Sox are reportedly interested in Toronto’s Scott Downs (among others).

As is typically the case, Downs, a left-handed reliever, is having a great year. On the season, he has posted a 3.08 FIP over 41 innings pitched. He would make a great addition to a somewhat unreliable Yankee bullpen. I figure the Blue Jays would drive a hard bargain in order to acquire him, however.

Photo by Reuters

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G98: Yankees @ Indians

In case you missed it, earlier today, Joe Girardi announced that Sergio Mitre would pitch out of the bullpen going forward, while Dustin Moseley would slot into the rotation (at least until Andy Pettitte returns). Girardi pinned the decision upon Mitre’s recent oblique injury, noting that the injury has prevented Mitre from being “ready” to start.

With that said, here are the lineups for tonight’s game (via LoHud):

YANKEES (62-35)
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Brett Gardner LF

RHP Javy Vazquez (8-7, 4.68)
Vazquez vs. Indians

INDIANS (41-57)
Michael Brantley CF
Asdrubal Cabrera SS
Shin-Soo Choo RF
Carlos Santana C
Travis Hafner DH
Jhonny Peralta 3B
Matt LaPorta 1B
Trevor Crowe LF
Jason Donald 2B

RHP Jake Westbrook (6-6, 4.74)
Westbrook vs. Yankees

On the mound, it’ll be Javier Vazquez against Jake Westbrook. Enjoy.

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A-Rod okay, in tonight’s lineup

Via the AP:

CLEVELAND — Alex Rodriguez has returned to the lineup for the New York Yankees and once again will try to hit his 600th career home run.

Rodriguez left Sunday’s game against Kansas City after being struck in the left hand by a pitch from Blake Wood.

Rodriguez was in the starting lineup Monday night at Cleveland, batting cleanup and playing third base.

I’m calling it–Alex will hit number 600 tonight.

Photo by Getty Images

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