Yankees Land Austin Kearns
Posted by Sean on July 30th, 2010 · Comments (8)
Via Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman, the Yankees have picked up Austin Kearns from the Cleveland Indians.
Kearns was a National before signing his one-year deal with the Tribe this past offseason where he [stunk] out loud.
This season after a hot start he’s cooled down to a slash line of .268/.351/.413.
No word on what’s going to Cleveland, but I can’t imagine its anything all that impressive.
I don’t see where this move fits in when Thames is already on the team as the RHB DH with defensive shortcomings.
Unless there’s a corresponding move the Yanks just unbalanced their 25-man roster a great deal as Thames/Kearns are redundant and Berkman is a similarly defensively-challenged OF/DH type.
Kearns has always been a solid defender – so he probably caddies for Granderson against lefties – pushing Gardener to center.
@ Sean McNally:
Is that so? The defensive metrics do agree but I tend to take those with a Gibraltar-sized grain of salt at this point.
Sean McNally wrote:
That’s what I think. Kearns is Granderson’s caddy against tough lefties, something the Yanks have needed all season, what Winn was supposed to be (as well as Gardner insurance).
Berkman platoons with Thames at DH and backs up Tex at 1st.
Miranda and Curtis board the Scranton shuttle.
Now, if Cashman comes up with any sort of help for the pen, he’s had a good deadline.
Evan3457 wrote:
Oh depending on the quality of the PTBNL for Kearns, of course.
Evan3457 wrote:
Assuming that’s true, when facing RHP the Yanks suddenly have a bench of Thames/Kearns which to me is redundant.
If Kearns truly is a capable defender then why not jettison Thames and find another infielder to take his place? Pena can’t remain on this club, Russo isn’t much better and having Thames/Kearns seems silly to me.
Kearns is there to play left field moving Gardner to center against tough lefties. Thames can’t play the field, as we all have seen. Also seems a good defensive replacement for Swisher in late innings.
Thames is there to platoon at DH with Berkman. (Berkman not hitting lefties at all this year.)
Posada will not DH as often. Therefore, when not catching, will be available for pinch-hitting.
Against lefty starters, Granderson will be on bench to PH against righty relievers, and also possibly Posada. Against righty starters, Kearns will be available to PH vs. lefty reliever for Granderson. When Posada DHs, Berkman is available off bench.
What’s not to like?