Yankees Acquire Third Baseman Chase Headley From Padres
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Give the Bronx Bombers credit: They're going for it.
Trying to add offense at third base, the New York Yankees acquired Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres on Tuesday for infielder Yangervis Solarte and right-hander Rafael De Paula.
The 30-year-old Headley can become a free agent after this season. He's hitting .229 with seven homers and 32 RBI, but has a .339 average with eight RBI since July 4, which general manager Brian Cashman told WFAN's Mike Francesa is due in large part to how well Headley has responded to an epidural shot he received for the troublesome herniated disc that had greatly impacted his play earlier in the season.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman
Headley was a Gold Glove winner two years ago, when he hit .286 with 31 homers and a National League-leading 115 RBI. Cashman said the switch from pitcher-friendly Petco Park to hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium should do wonders for Headley's production.
"I think he can deliver the long ball and I think this ballpark is more conducive to that than where he came from, but I think he's a guy who can impact you offensively with his plate discipline and his batting average," Cashman told the Yes Network earlier in the day. "Chase is a switch-hitter who can spray the ball all over the place, and that's what he's been doing; I don't see him as a big thumper, but he's an upgrade."
As part of the deal, the Padres will pay $1 million of the $3,968,443 remaining of Headley's $10,525,000 salary this year.
The 27-year-old Solarte was hitting .336 as of May 14 but just .180 since and was sent to Triple-A for a week this month. The 23-year-old DePaula was 6-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 17 starts and three relief appearances this year with Class A Tampa.
Headley was expected to join the Yankees at some point during their game against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
