Yankees trade for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte

In an attempt to boost the team for the stretch run, the Yankees made a trade with the Pirates acquiring OF Xavier Nady and RP Damaso Marte. The Yankees traded minor league OF Jose Tabata, RP Ross Ohlendorf and two other minor leaguers for the services of Nady and Marte in a deal that was announced on Friday night.

My opinion on the trade: I like the trade, I like it a lot. On paper, it looks like a good deal. The Yanks essentially gave up Jose Tabata and peanuts for a nasty left handed specialist and a nice outfielder. On the season Nady is hitting .330 with 13 HR, 57 RBI, a .383 OBP, a .535 SLG, and a .919 OPS. Marte has a 3.45 ERA, 48 Ks, 16 BBs, a 1.16 WHIP and a 2.17 BAA and has been one of the best left handed relievers in baseball over the last few years.

Who would've thought that the bullpen would be this team's strong suit at this point in the season, especially after Chamberlain became a starter? I sure didn't, but it has developed into a strong suit with the emergence of Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, and even Kyle Farnsworth (yes, Kyle Farnsworth as reliable relievers. Rookie David Robertson has also contributed important innings out of the pen. Marte wasn't really even needed, but it already adds to a bullpen with great depth, and also gives them a lefty which they didn't have prior to this. They have tried Billy Traber but he was bad. Getting Marte provides an upper echelon lefty reliever who can pretty much do whatever is asked of him.

Nady provides a desperately needed bat in the lineup, as he replaces the slap hitter Gardner who was hitting below .200. I do feel that Gardner can eventually contribute on this level but he isn't ready yet. Having Melky Cabrera, Gardner and Jose Molina batting 7-9 might be the worst 7-9 in the American League. With the addition of Nady, that is no longer an issue, as you now add pop to the bottom of the lineup. Not only is Nady a productive offensive player, but he plays decent defense and plays hard. He gives it his all, and he is a 'lunch pail' type of player. Put it like this, he is David Eckstein with talent.

I liked the move for the Yankees, and hopefully this can lead to bigger and better things (ie a World Series title). That would be the absolute perfect way to send off Yankee Stadium.