Yankees Fleece Tigers of Pudge

The Yankees have, once again, fleeced another ballclub for top talent a few days before the non-wavier trade deadline. The victim: The Detroit Tigers. The player: Ivan Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who is better know as Pudge, and has made a career as a Yankee killer, beating the Bombers in the 2003 World Series as a member of the Florida Marlins, will join the Yankees as their primary catcher replacing the injured Jorge Posada, and pushing the hard working Jose Molina to backup catcher again.

I - Rod is not the player he used to be with the Texas Rangers and Marlins when he was belting 30 homers and 100 RBI a year. He was once the second best hitting catcher of the 1990's behind Mike Piazza. But, Pudge has lost a lot of power in his bat, maybe becasue he is no longer on steroids, but is still a solid hitter. He is batting .295 this year with five homers and 32 RBI for a Tiger team that was expected to win 110 plus games this year and has been a complete disapointment. The Tigers are in third place five and a half behind the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.

The player going to the Tigers: Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees finally rid themsleves of the terrible and arrogant Farnsworth who do more bad than good for the bombers. Some could say this is a steal just like the Xavier Nady deal was last Friday, but the Yankees lose another arm in their bullpen, which is desperate for some pitching help.

The Yankees are still trying to pursue Seattle's Jarod Washburn for a starting spot in the rotation. Maybe the Yankees should inquire about Arthur Rhodes, the Seattle set-up man as well - they need both, if they want to get back into this thing.