Yankees acquire Austin Kearns
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(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
The Yankees have acquired Austin Kearns from the Indians for a player to be named later or cash, so says Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman. The identity of the PTBNL is “still undetermined” according to Bob Klapisch. Buster Olney says the Yanks are already hard at work on their next deal, presumably for a utility infielder but don’t rule out bullpen help.
Kearns started in leftfield for the Indians on Friday night, but was lifted for a pinch-runner after singling in the 7th inning. After a big time start (.313/.388/.494 through June 7th), the 30-year-old has cooled off considerably over the last several weeks (.212/.305/.311 since). The Yanks were reportedly looking for an outfield bat that can hit lefties, and Kearns fits the bill (.353 wOBA vs. LHP career, .339 vs. RHP). It’s also worth noting that he’s a stud defensively in rightfield with three-year UZR of +11.4, but he’s a bit below average in left (-2.1) and hasn’t played much center in recent years.
There’s only $278,000 left on his contract this season, and he isn’t close to being any kind of compensation free agent once the winter rolls around. I don’t expect much, but he’s an upgrade over Colin Curtis.
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Well that kind of came out of no where.
I assume he’ll replace Curtis?
Not entirely sure why they’d do this?
For the bench. Right now its: Pena, Curtis, Miranda… Adding Kearns for a PTBNL is a solid move. Very Eric Hinske like.
I don’t know, I guess he seems to be Thames just with the ability to play the outfield. But, yea, I supposed that’s an upgrade over Curtis.
Kearns>>>Curtis and should help against LHP. Just hope the cost wasn’t much.
HE has better splits against righties so that isn’t why he was acquired.
Better against LHP for his career and will be taking Curtis’ spot.
Ahh why? bench help? I dont know if I think that is an upgrade.
Wheelin’ and Dealing’. I’m loving this.
I heard the Yankees were on the verge of acquiring Austin Kearns. But I also heard that the Yankees might not be on the verge of acquiring Austin Kearns.
Wow…ninja’d.
Now thats just piling on…../Kay’d
Makes a ton of sense. Him and granderson make a pretty nice defacto platoon. Sorta surprised Mark Melancon is now a “non prospect” as well
actually he has been pretty terrible this year
Count me in as surprised about that as well. Makes me a little nervous about who they are giving up for Kearns.
I’m surprised Melancon is a “non prospect”, but I’m really not going to be devastated by losing him. We’re getting Lance Freakin’ Berkman to DH for the New York Yankees. We gave up a guy whos been up to the majors a couple times with very limited success and who has struggled greatly as of late in AAA and another kid who is in Low A.
I like the Kearns move. I would certainly say he is an upgrade over the rest of the bench outside of Thames. The more depth the better. Look at what Hairston and Hinske did for us last year. We need some productive depth.
Kind of odd. He’ll have a hard time getting at bats with Berkman and Thames at DH and the outfield set, no?
They’re flipping him for Adam Dunn and Edwin Jackson.
Cody Ross would had been better.
damn you Cashman for being stealth.
Bye Colin Curtis.
First Lance Berkman, and now
Ryan ChurchAustin Kearns? This day came out of nowhereI like it, although, I am not that big of a fan of sending Curtis back down to Scranton. I also am happy that the Yankees were able to send Melancon and Paredes to Houston. Not really giving up alot and getting a good bat in return.
Hopefully we are not done yet and are able to get another reliever. Maybe flipping Kearns for an arm? Or will all the relievers available require prospects?
Not really sure I get the point of this. He’s hitting righties better than lefties this year. I also kind of hope they DFA Thames rather than sending Curtis down. If Curtis is gone, then they have ZERO defensive skill ready if they needed someone in the OF.
Kearns is not horrible in the outfield
Go look at Thames’ line this year vs Curtis’, there is no way you send Thames down in order to keep Curtis
I didn’t say anything about the offense. I was talking about the defense. And his 1 UZR in 14 games in RF isn’t exactly impressive to me, not to mention he can’t always play RF, he’ll have to fill in LF every so often. Or would you prefer Thames there instead?
And regarding the offensive numbers, look below after looking a little closer.
Check out his UZR.
Thames probably has a little trade value for something like a low grade prospect or bleh reliever, he is a fien bat off the bench
Why DFA Thames? He was brought in to mash lefties and he’s done exactly that.
Eh, his BA and OBP are buoyed by a flukey hot start, his numbers against lefties include a .400 BABIP, which is pretty certainly to drop, and despite all that he has a grand total of one homerun against lefties all year.
And it’s not even an argument that there’s zero value in him beyond that.
Love it.
Is a back up 3rd baseman next? Mike Lowell for Tony Armas Jr?
Dude, we have a backup third baseman, his name is Marcus Thames. When he enters the game, we’re going to simply place third base about 30 ft further from first
good point
Hard to argue with that.
IETCVM.
I can’t get enough of that replay. Once the ball was hit to him, I think everyone knew that sucker was ending up in the stands.
Tosh should let Thames do a web redemption.
It worked for the worst stand up comic ever.
Meh player, solid depth move. Now, time to get some BULLPEN help there Cash! I really think Downs would be a great addition but he seems too expensive.
If he doesn’t we’re blaming the damn Twins for what they gave up for Matt Capps. Ugh.
I know! What idiots!
Hmmm…..not sure about this one but I he did peak my interest during series in Cleveland.
piqued
Here’s the question: are we certain that Kearns is actually a better hitter than Curtis at this point in his career?
Uh, yes. Curtis has never really hit at any level, why would he start now?
almost surprised Kerry Wood wasn’t involved. probably for the best.
“Kearns earns a home run!!! ohhh!!!”
“Austin hit an AWESOME home run!!”
“Kearns burns one!”
“It is high….It is far…..It is….GONE!”
“Kearns makes it burn”
Austin POWERS one over the wall! Yeah, baby!
Does this affect the Berkman deal or is that official or are they mutually independent deals?
New Olney tweet:
Heard this: With two trades in the books today, the Yankees are working on another — presumably somebody who can play 3B.
Now aren’t we getting greedy, or just over-inflating the roster?
They’ve only really spent $3 million and Melancon so far.
But the roster is getting bloated now. Why do we need someone to play 3B? Sounds like we’re getting like it was in 2000 when all of a sudden David Justice, Glenallen Hill, Luis Polonia and Jose Canseco all showed up.
Not to mention Luis Sojo.
I assure you the roster will have the same # of players as before.
Berkman > Juan Miranda
Kearns>Colin Curtis
And so if Player X>Pena, then it’s worth it? Yea, I guess that would work.
I guess. I’m certainly no expert. Whatever everyone else says.
Who doesn’t belong in this group
a David Justice b Glenallen Hill c Luis Polonia
d Jose Canseco
I think that was on the LSATs
Well, Polonia is the one most unlike the others.
Or were you saying Jose for the ‘roids?
Justics is connected with ‘roids via Mitchell report. So it’s not that.
Same with Glenallen.
I guess Sojo wins for NOT cheating?
Polonia. I get all those people mixed up.
If you’re thinking steroids, isn’t Polonia still the answer? I think he was the only one of that group never tied to them.
You are correct Ed. Polonia was never accused of
steroid use (like the others), but he was convicted for statutory rape.
We need an infielder who can hit, not just play defense. Thats why we inquired about the availability of Jerry Hairston Jr.
melvin mora up next.
Doesn’t he have a wOBA under .300? That’s the exact opposite of someone who can hit.
As long as Pena goes bye-bye, it’s not over-inflating the roster. It doesn’t take much to improve on his value.
still need somebody to fill in at SS to give Jeter some rest
I would assume if they pick up a utility guy it would be someone who could play all three infield spots. As long as that’s true, it’s easy to beat Pena.
Kearns baby Kearns!
/john sterling
Hopefully the Yankees are working on 2 or 3 more trades. 1 for a utility infielder. Another for a reliever or 2. And the third to get rid of Chan Ho Park.
before they rename YS for him?
First he bring Berkman from a last place team to the best team in baseball, then he does the same for Kearns.
Cash is in saving lost souls one at a time.
ptbnl most be a recent(signed)draft pick, no?
could be a list of players and the indians are waiting to see how they perform/more scouting
or injured maybe
Could be a guy from a list they pick from at a later date. Or they could give cash instead of a player.
For what it’s worth (not much), but the guy on the BP show yesterday said anytime he hears PTBNL this year he’ll be thinking about Stoneburner.
It’s kind of funny, somebody asked Mike during the chat today if the Yanks were going to get a Candy Maldonado-type player.
Look at Kearns’ BR page and his most similar comparison through age 29 is… Candy Maldonado.
I don’t remember for sure, but wasn’t that asked a week or two ago in a chat?
Oh, was it last weeks? I read two of the recaps today so it could have been last weeks.
If so, my bad… Still kind of fits though.
I didn’t catch all of today’s, so who knows?
Well, here is one from today:
1:53 [Comment From joe z "pittsfeild MA"joe z "pittsfeild MA": ]
what about Austin Kearns, the indians must be shopping him, right? Maybe, a Pat Venditte and Dan Brewer or something?
Friday July 30, 2010 1:53 joe z “pittsfeild MA”
1:54 I’m sure they are, but he stinks. .212/.305/.311 since early June.
Yeah, the one I was thinking of was last week:
2:46 [Comment From CJCJ: ]
Do you see the Yankees pursuing a Candy Maldonado-type player before the deadline?
Friday July 23, 2010 2:46 CJ
2:46 What’s a Candy Maldonado?
“Kearns learns how to stop worrying and love the A Bomb!”
Joe G looks sad lol
Now, according to ESPN, it could be a PTBNL or cash.
Awesome, gotta love depth that hits for power and can field.
Should have kept Damon & Matsui
What are you talking about?
Just my opinion, but the next person to pull the Matsui/Damon card without providing an argument thereof should be heckled ruthlessly… or at least not be allowed to post crap like this.
No chance Cashman’s done. I expect Qualls to be here soon…not sure whom the infielder will be. I had thought Peralta had a good chance, but that didn’t work out.
There is nothing at all in Qualls’ peripherals to give one pause, and it does enough to explain the ERA. With that salary and those results, Arizona must absurdly motivated to move him.
Peralta is doing just fine for us already!
I see Eric Wordekemper or Lassiter (wishing) packing their bags for Midge-City