Yankees Latest Trade

When word arrived that the Yankees had acquired Eric Hinske, confusion made an appearance. The name was familiar but I couldn't place the player. The news reported that he was a veteran of the AL East: Toronto, Boston, Tampa Bay, still nothing.

Perhaps, the Yankees press release would spark a recollection. Turns out, the new guy is versatile with pop. Visions of Betemit and Swisher began swirling. Be still my heart.

The question lingered: Who be Hinske? Time to whip out the all-powerful Baseball Prospectus Guide. Here's a hint: "Hinske's 2008 season was perceived as a comeback campaign, with his good fortune to be playing for a winner garnering more attention than it merited. In broad strokes, his season was just more of the same that we've seen from him since his distant and promising rookie season, and perhaps understandbly that's why he roams the winter roads looking for work as we go to press."--(B.P. 2009 Guide)

Eric's "roaming" landed him in Pittsburg, the once proud home of the Pirates, where he couldn't crack the lineup. Let the salary dump commence, who you gonna call? Cash is the man. Pittsburg's GM is still smiling over last season's bargain blockbuster: Marte and Nady for Ohlendorf, Tabata and Karstens.

Here's the deal, the Yanks send two low-level, anonymous prospects to the Pirates for a guy who was AL rookie of the year in 2002 (Now, I remember) and is making $1.4 million in 2009. The numbers tell an ominous story.

Where do we go from here? Let's snatch a report from the Yankees' beat: "Said one exec to Joel Sherman for his blog:: “If the Yanks think he can play third base one time a week for A-Rod, they are crazy. He stinks there.”
That’s pretty blunt. Probably pretty accurate, too...All that said, it’s nearly a mortal lock that Hinske starts at third on Tuesday in Minnesota."--(Peter Abraham/LoHud.)

The fruitful search for Hinske's identity sparks an old saying: "Be careful what you wish for."

Photo