Yankees acquire "The Big Puma" Lance Berkman from Astros for Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes

Just a few moments ago, the Houston Astros and New York Yankees agreed to a trade that will send power-hitting first baseman Lance Berkman to the Yankees for Triple-AAA RHP Mark Melancon and Single-A INF Jimmy Paredes. The Astros will also pay $4 million of Berkman's salary.

I profiled Berkman as a possible trade target back in June, so I'll just re-post that post here with some slight adjustments of course.

By adding a power bat in "The Big Puma" Berkman, the Yankees will now have a very dangerous offense. The face of the Houston Astros since the retirement of Craig Biggio, Berkman has slugged 21 or more home runs every full season in the big leagues, including a career high 45 in 2006, his best year, in which he batted .315 with 136 RBI and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. Berkman has slugged more than 40 home runs twice in his career, 42 in 2002 and 45 in 2006, as well has slugging over 30 or more three times, 34 in 2001, 30 in 2004, and 34 again in 2007. Add that to five seasons of 20 home runs or more: 21 in 2000, 25 in 2003, 24 in 2005, 29 in 2008, and 25 in 2009. He's also driven in over 120 RBI three times: 126 in 2001, 128 in 2002, and a career high 136 in 2006. He's also had six seasons of over 100 RBIs. He's had four seasons of over .300 batting averages with a career high .331 in 2001, .316 in 2004, .315 in 2006, and .312 in 2008. Add that all together and Berkman has a career batting line of .297 AVG/.409 SLG/.549 OBP, .959 OPS, 319 HR, 1070 RBI, and 1622 hits. A first round draft pick (16th overall) in 1997 out of Rice University, Berkman is a slugger to say the least.

But Berkman's not that slugger anymore.

This season has been Berkman's worst career season, having career lows in AVG, SLG, OBP, and HR. He's hitting .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 85 games - not his usual standards - and has just an .808 OPS, a landslide fall from a .907 OPS in 2009. However, vs. righties this year, the switch-hitter is hitting .261 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs, but is terrible against lefties, hitting .188 wih 1 home run and 4 RBIs. Berkman has always been known for having great plate discipline, walking over 100 times in three seasons, and had totals of 91, 98, 94, 99 and 97 since 2005 as well as 60 so far this season. There's no doubt he'll get on base.

Berkman had a no-trade clause in his contract, but waived it in order to go to the Yankees. He has 10-5 rights, meaning he can still decline the deal, which is unlikely, so the announcement will have to wait 24 hours due to the rights. Berkman makes $14.9 million this year, but hasn't been earning it. The Astros are said to pay $4 million of Berkman's contract, as well as his buyout, while the Yankees are going to pay $3 million. The Yankees can definitely afford it, as Berkman is owed just $7.1 million more this season, but it's nice to get a little salary help. Berkman has a $15M option for 2011, which he required the Yankees to not pick up in order to waive his no-trade clause which is absolutely fine by me. He'll be 35 next season and is a Type-B free agent who is declining. A half year of Berkman is perfectly suitable.

Riveraveblues says that "Another encouraging factor lies in his splits. Even with his poor performance early in the season he has crushed righties this season, to the tune of a .382 wOBA. Presumably this has gotten better lately, too. He’s spraying the ball to all fields as a lefty, hitting 56 to left field, 55 to center, and 65 to right. His opposite field power has not faded, as he has a .482 ISO when hitting the ball the other way. He does seem to have some trouble pulling the ball, as he has a 67.7 ground ball rate when going to right field, with only 13.8 percent fly balls (and 22.2 percent of those are infield flies, though another 22.2 percent left the park). I’m not sure if this is something he’s also improving on, but if it is he’d be the complete package in New York: a lefty who can spray the ball the other way but still take it over the short porch."

If that's not encouraging news, I don't know what is. If Berkman can hit the ball to all fields, he'll use Yankee Stadium as a definite advantage.

The Yankees, reportedly, have traded the Astros RHP Mark Melancon, 25 and INF Jimmy Paredes, 21. That eliminates (and soothes) fan's worries that top prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine could have been traded.

Melancon was the Yankees' 9th round draft pick in the 2006 draft, a draft in which many consider the Yankees' best draft of the decade due to the success of the drafted players. Sadly, Melancon, who was deemed to be the next Joba Chamberlain, never lived up to the hype. Melancon was ranked the Yankees' 15th best prospect by BaseballAmerica, but while dominating in the minor leagues, he could never translate the success to the majors. In 2008, his breakout season, Melancon went 8-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 95.0 innings/44 games with an 8.4/9 strikeout rate for A+/AA/AAA. His ridiculous 2008 carried into 2009, as he was 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 32 games/53.0 innings while striking out 54, increasing his strikeout rate to 9.2/9. His dominance warranted a call-up in April of 2009. Melancon struggled in the big leagues, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 13 games while allowing 13 hits and 10 walks in 16.1 innings before being sent back down. In 2010, Melancon has spent most of the season in the minor leagues pitching in 40 games/56.1 innings with a 3.67 ERA, 6-1 record, 58 strikeouts and a 9.3/9 K rate. He appeared in two games for the Yankees, posting a 9.00 ERA while giving up 7 hits, one being a home run, in 4.0 innings.

Paredes, an international signing out of the Domincan Republic, is a switch-hitting infielder. In the minors, he has played second base, third base and short stop. A player who has relied more on his speed than his hitting, Paredes has stolen 36 bases in 46 attempts in 2010 while posting a .282 average with 5 home runs as well as driving in 36 RBIs with 114 hits in 99 games, all of which are career highs for a full season. Paredes does need to work on his defense, I can't stress that enough: he's committed 36 errors this season after committing 34 in 2007, 13 in 2008 and 12 in 2009.

By giving up an average pitcher who the Yankees have no place for and a young infielder who will probably never wear the pinstripes, this deal is a steal for the Yankees.

While the Yankees offense has been solid this year, Mark Teixeira (who is heating up) and Alex Rodriguez have not been contributing at their expected rates and the team, which was expected to be carried by its offense, has been carried by its dominant starting pitching. Since free-agent signing DH Nick Johnson went down with a wrist injury that required surgery, the Yankees have had a revolving door at DH which has included Jorge Posada, Marcus Thames, Juan Miranda, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and now Colin Curtis. Clearly the Yankees needed another bat to solidify the DH role, and acquiring Berkman does just that. It also ends trade speculation that has been going on for months. For once, Yankee fans won't have to see a minor leaguer using the DH role.

"We've used [the DH] to rotate our guys and try to keep our guys fresh, but if we have an everyday guy, we have an everyday guy," Manager Joe Girardi said. "I can't tell you what's going to happen, but it has helped giving Alex a half-day and Jeet a half-day, and Tex and Swish. But if you get an everyday guy that can swing it, that could help our club. ... However we can improve our club, I'm all for it."

"I never thought I would be in this position, never had to go through it," Berkman said. "It's unsettling because you just don't know what's going to happen and there's all sorts of possibilities. I guess in one sense, it's good because there's teams that want me to play for them, particularly in a down season."

"No matter what happens, this is my home and my organization," he said. "I'll be a Houston Astro no matter what happens in the next 24 hours. If something does happen, I would certainly want to leave myself open to a return to the team if that made sense for the organization and for me as well."

"That's great, because we're a team that's all about winning and anyone who can come in here and help us score more runs," said New York's Mark Teixeira. "[They are] two quality guys. I know both real well. They're great guys, and it's going to be great for this clubhouse."

"We have so many dynamic players on our team," Teixeira said, "and we have a lot of guys that can hit in the middle of the order, but we also have a lot of guys that can draw walks. I see him hitting in the top of the order or the middle, and he can drive in runs anywhere, too."

"Not one guy has to carry this team, and that's the great thing about the Yankees," Teixeira said. "They're always going to do what it takes to win and you see it today getting two players like that.

"It's great. The Yankees fans deserve it and the city of New York deserves a winner every year. That's what we're trying to give them every year."

In the postseason, Berkman is a career .321 hitter with 6 home runs and 26 RBIs in 29 postseason games in 2001, 2004 and 2005 combined. In 2005, the year the Astros reached the World Series but were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox, Berkman hit .385 with 6 RBIs. His tremendous postseason hitting could be another reason why the Yankees acquired Berkman as they look to lock up the AL East.

I like this trade a lot, especially because the Yankees didn't have to give up a prospect with much caliber and got some cash. I'd definitely would have preferred Adam Dunn, who the Yankees were rumored to earlier today, but Berkman, a five-time All-Star, is a great hitter - his days of hitting 40 home runs are over - but perhaps a change of scenery, as well as the short porch in right field, can help "Big Puma" improve his season and up his power numbers. He'll probably slide into the no. two spot in the lineup, making for this lineup:

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Lance Berkman, DH
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Jorge Posada, C
8. Curtis Granderson, CF
9. Brett Gardner, LF

That's ridiculous and incredibly deep.

It's been a tough two days for Astros fans, who saw franchise pitcher and Astro-lifer Roy Oswalt get dealt yesterday to the Philadelphia Phillies for a terrible package of players (besides Brett Wallace, who they got from the Blue Jays) and now one of the best hitters in franchise history and Astro-lifer get traded today to the Yankees for two prospects, one of which who has lost the confidence of the Yankees. It'll definitely be tough for Astros fans to watch both players with different teams in the postseason.

Berkman is a huge offensive upgrade and should be a great addition to the Yankees for an extremely low price.

Good move by GM Brian Cashman.

Yankees 2010 Trade Target: Brandon League

Brandon League, RHP Seattle Mariners
2010 season: 36 G, 5-5, 3.07 ERA, 41.0 IP, 2 SV, 1.10 WHIP

A second round draftee of the 2001 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Brandon League has shown to be one of the more dominant relievers of the past half decade. Making his debut in 2004, League struggled in his first full season in 2005, as he posted a 6.56 ERA in 35.2 IP in 20 games, allowing an opponent's batting avg against of .302. However, it appeared as though the best of League was still to come. The Sacramento native posted a 2.53 ERA in 42.2 IP in 33 games with 29 strikeouts in 2006. His opponent's batting avg against? .214. Adjustment? I think so.

Going into 2007, League was deemed one of the better relievers in baseball. He struggled through shoulder problems in 2007, lasting only 14 games and posting a 6.17 ERA in 11.2 IP. Many analysts recognized that League's velocity had dropped greatly. Due to advanced strength conditioning during the offseason, League overdeveloped his shoulder muscles, causing the drop-off in velocity. His shoulder problems continued and he eventually needed major shoulder surgery, causing the Blue Jays to place him on the 60-day Disabled List. He would miss the rest of the 2007 season.

League returned in 2008 looking like his 2006 form. His velocity was back, as he posted a 2.18 ERA in 33.0 IP in 31 games. He also had 23 strikeouts and an OBA of .230. League was again back on top. 2009 wasn't as kind to League, as he struggled through the season again. Pitching in a career high 67 games, he posted a 4.58 ERA in 74.2 IP, but had 76(!!!) strikeouts.

Following the 2009 season, League was traded to the Seattle Mariners with minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez for RHP Brandon Morrow. He's looked sharp so far in 2010, posting a 3.07 ERA in 41.0 IP in 36 games, as well as garnering 2 saves. He also has 31(!!!) strikeouts and an OBA of .214, his lowest since 2006. Due to the Mariners' poor play and sub .500 record at 31-43, last in the AL West, the Mariners have not yet declared themselves open to business, but it sure seems like it could be soon. When they do, League could be one of their best chips.

Recently, FOXSPORTS writer Jon Morosi tweeted that outside of Cliff Lee, the tattoo-addicted League is the Mariners' most attractive trade piece. He's a great reliever, and he's young, just 27, and is still under team control. He could easily help out a team's bullpen. One team with bullpen issues that could be interested? The New York Yankees.

With the bullpen struggling mightly this year, as opposed to last year's breakout, the Yankees are in need of relief help. Chan Ho Park has not met expectations, posting a 7.04 ERA in 19 games, while giving up 6 home runs, after giving up 0 last year, in 23.0 IP. His OBA? .320. Joba Chamberlain has composed himself recently, but he's still at a 5.17 ERA in 33.1 IP in 33 games, while giving up 11 walks, a weakness the set-up man should not have. Then there's the other cast of characters: Damaso Marte, who has been unreliable but not terrible, David Robertson, who struggled early but has recomposed himself, Boone Logan and Chad Gaudin, who are in for mop-up duties but are also pitching poorly of late. And then there's Mo. Do I really have to say anything about Mariano Rivera?

It's obvious that the Yankees need some relief help, especially with Alfredo Aceves still on the DL and with no definate timetable for return. I think that the Yankees could acquire League for maybe a B-Level prospect, such as a Mark Melancon. I think a trade of LHP Boone Logan and RHP Mark Melancon could get a trade for League done. I'd definitely do that trade if I'm the Yankees. League is having another great year, and he's still young and hasn't hit is prime yet. League could work with Chamberlain to set-up Rivera as well as work as a long-man out of the bullpen. He's owed just $1.08 million through this season, so he's cheap, meaning it'd definitely cost at least a B-level prospect. If I'm the Yankees and I can get away with giving up just Logan and Melancon, I pull the trigger.

So while it's still unknown if the Mariners are ready for waive the white-flag, it will be soon. I imagine that the Yankees could be players for League's teammate Cliff Lee due to the recent struggles of A.J. Burnett. If League is made available I would imagine the Yankees to be huge players. Perhaps the Yankees and Mariners could complete a trade that could land the Yankees both Lee and League? That'd be great but I'm just dreaming here! If I'm the Yankees, I'm trying to get League.

Yankees 2010 Trade Target: Lance Berkman

Lance Berkman, 1B/OF Houston Astros
2010 season: 55 G, .237/.341/.384, 6 HR, 29 RBI

As recently as last week, we heard rumors that the Yankees had scouts following the Houston Astros watching Lance Berkman, just in case the Astros decide to make him available via trade. By adding a power bat in "The Big Puma" Berkman, the Yankees would have a very dangerous offense. The face of the Houston Astros since the retirement of Craig Biggio, Berkman has slugged 21 or more home runs every full season in the big leagues, including a career high 45 in 2006, his best year, in which he batted .315 with 136 RBI and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. Berkman has slugged more than 40 home runs twice in his career, 42 in 2002 and 45 in 2006, as well has slugging over 30 or more three times, 34 in 2001, 30 in 2004, and 34 again in 2007. Add that to five seasons of 20 home runs or more: 21 in 2000, 25 in 2003, 24 in 2005, 29 in 2008, and 25 in 2009. He's also driven in over 120 RBI three times: 126 in 2001, 128 in 2002, and a career high 136 in 2006. He's also had six seasons of over 100 RBIs. He's had four seasons of over .300 batting averages with a career high .331 in 2001, .316 in 2004, .315 in 2006, and .312 in 2008. Add that all together and Berkman has a career batting line of .297 AVG/.409 SLG/.549 OBP, .959 OPS, 319 HR, 1070 RBI, and 1622 hits. A slugger to say the least.

It's not a secret that the Yankee offense right now is struggling. They got bombarded by the D-backs last night, after a great pitched game by Rodrigo Lopez, limiting the Yankees to four runs in last night's 10-4 loss. However, a case can be made that Berkman, 34, may not be able to help the Yankees. This season has been Berkman's worst career season, having career lows in AVG, SLG, OBP, and HR. There's also the contract issue. Berkman makes $14.9 million this year, and also has a no-trade clause, meaning he'd have to waive his clause to be traded to the Yankees. I'm not sure that the Yankees would be so willing as to pay all of that contract. That may not be a problem however, as recently Astros' owner Drayton McLane said that the organization would be willing to absorb salary in a trade depending on the offer. Perhaps if the Yankees made the Astros a strong enough offer, the Astros would eat Berkman's salary.

But there is yet another issue with trading for the Rice University graduate Berkman. It's well known throughout baseball that McLane likes to keep his favorite players, Berkman being one of them. Over the years he's shown resistance to trading players such as Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Roy Oswalt. However, due to the Astros' past under .500 seasons, including another one this year at 26-44, McLane may be forced to trade the switch-hitting Berkman in order to rebuild the organization by acquiring prospects with high potential.

Yet there are still more issues, the most important being where would Berkman play on the Yankees? First base is occupied for the next seven years, and the Yankees already have two corner outfielders who play better defense than Berkman. The obvious position for Berkman would be DH on the Yankees. This presents another problem due to the health questions surrounding Jorge Posada, who has shown his signs of age and cannot catch everyday, forcing him to DH. The Yankees would like to keep his bat in the lineup on days he does not catch, but if they acquire Berkman, Posada would be forced to ride the bench a few times per week. To me, it seems as though Berkman may not have a spot on the team, similar to Adam Dunn, who I profiled a few days ago.

Then there is always the issue of prospects. I'm pretty sure every Yankee fan knows that the Astros starting point would be with Jesus Montero or Austin Romine. The Astros would require a top prospect in the deal, but most likely two if the Yankees wanted the Astros to eat Berkman's contract. I think a deal would have to consist of at least an A-level prospect, a Bminus-level prospect, and at least two C-level types. That means a deal of C Austin Romine, RHP Mark Melancon, LHP Wilkin De La Rosa and 2B David Adams.

If I were the Yankees I would not trade for Berkman. I think that the offense could survive with another bat that could cost less prospects-wise. I also think that the salary is an issue. The Yankees are reportedly on a "budget" and I'm sure they don't feel like adding $14.9 million to the payroll. I don't think it'd hurt the team if they acquire Berkman, but he's not having a good year and not having a good year playing in the weak NL Central, meaning he'd most likely have difficulty adapting to the strong pitching of the AL East. And he's 34, meaning his best days of hitting 30 home runs are probably behind him. While I've always liked Berkman, I do not think he has a place on the Yankees and I'd rather spend the prospects and money on someone else who's having a better year and is less expensive. Sorry Puma.

Yankees 2010 Trade Target: David DeJesus

David DeJesus, OF Kansas City Royals
2010 season: 67 G, .331/.403/.494, 5 HR, 31 RBI

David DeJesus is a name familiar to most Yankees fans. DeJesus, in recent years, has been connected to the Yankees through trade rumors. The Brooklyn native is enjoying a breakout season this year, hitting a career high .331 AVG this season with a career high .494 SLG % while playing stellar defense for the Royals. One thing DeJesus has been credited for in his career is being a patient hitter. In his career, the highest season strike out total for DeJesus was 87 K's in 2009. He also draws his walks, having a career high of 64 in 2007, and ranging anywhere from 33 to 64 in his career. His ability to take pitches and have good plate discipline has resulted in a career OBP of .361, meaning he is on base 36% of the time. He's also been a great hitter throughout his career, with a career batting average of .290 on the spot. While not known for his power (career high 13 in 2009) or speed (career high 11 in 2008). Although an average outfielder, he is known for making great plays in the outfield.

DeJesus, 30, brings a lot to the table for the Yankees. A left-handed batter, he can play all three outfield positions and is extremely versatile. He makes $4.7 million this season, and has a club option of $6 million for the 2011 season which the Royals can pick up or decline. So if the contract is declined, the Yankees could always sign him in the offseason. The Royals, 29-40 (4th place in the AL Central) are 11 games out of first place. Sources indicate that they are ready to trade players, hoping to rebuild for the 2011 season. The Yankees could be major players for DeJesus, a graduate of Rutgers University, who they've been linked to and liked in the past. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Royals "are said to be asking for more return than is acceptable to the suitors." He also lists the Yankees, Red Sox, and Padres as suitors for the outfielder.

If it is true that the Royals may be asking for a lot, the Yankees may back out. If the Royals were to ask for one of the catchers, either Montero or Romine, I would say "no thanks." As much of a fine player as DeJesus is, a 30 year-old outfielder who is enjoying a career year is not worth a top prospect, especially when the Yankees have a set outfield as it is. If I were the Yankees, and the Royals approached me about a possible trade for DeJesus, I would give up a B-level prospect, such as RHP Mark Melancon, with a few C-level guys such as 2B David Adams or RHP David Phelps, but no more than that.

Acquiring DeJesus would have to require one of the outfielders, most likely Nick Swisher, or DeJesus, DHing full time. While I think he would be a great fit on this team, being a New York native and a fine player, I would be anxious to see how the Yankees would use him. There is always the question of free agency however, especially with Carl Crawford, who the Yankees covet, most likely to hit the market. Many predict the Yankees will sign Crawford, but on the flip side, with the recent production of the Yankees' outfield this season, many sources have changed their beliefs due to the trio of Gardner-Granderson-Swisher's performance. Acquiring DeJesus would also most likely keep the Yankees from signing Crawford, especially if he continues to keep us his strong play, they would most likely pick up his 2011 option. The only question would be where the Yankees would fit in DeJesus.

I would be in full support of a trade for DeJesus, but only for the right price. A battled veteran, a New York native, and a great hitter, he would help this team pick itself up offensively. While there is a question of uncertainty as to where he would play, I'm sure that the Yankees could find a spot for him.