Projo Sports Blog

As the Yankees are on the field taking batting practice at Fenway, the guy scheduled to play left field today and hit seventh in the New York lineup is on his way to the park.

Xavier Nady, obtained in a trade with the Pirates, is expected to be at Fenway in time for the start of the 3:55 contest.

``He's arrived (at Logan Airport). He's on his way now,'' manager Joe Girardi reported.

Nady was hitting .330 with 13 home runs for Pittsburgh. He gives the Yankees a proven right-handed bat.

Reliever Damaso Marte also was obtained in the deal is ready to play today if needed.

``Obviously he gives us a proven lefthander,'' Girardi said of Marte. ``It gives us a lot more flexibility.''

General manager Brian Cashman, who did not complete the trade until 11 this morning, said another key is that neither player is a two-month rental. Both are signed for next year.

``Having that flexibility to control those assets through 2009 means a lot,'' Cashman said.

Two of the four players the Yankees gave up in the deal were not in original reports that broke Friday night. The two players Pittsburgh wanted most, 19-year-old outfielder Jose Tabata and reliever Ross Ohlendorf are in the deal, as reported. The other two are pitchers Jeff Karstens and Dan McCutcheon.

Cashman said the trade was not officially concluded until 11 o'clock this morning. He said he began speaking with the Pirates about Marte. The possibility of also getting Nady was brought up three days ago and tentatively agreed to while he sat in the dugout at Fenway Friday night while the Yankees were taking batting practice.

to make room, the Yankees sent outfielder Brett Gardner back to the minors and released veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins.

Here is the Yankees lineup for today:

Johnny Damon DH
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriquez SS
Jason GIambi 1B
Robinson Cano 2B
Xavier Nady LF
Melky Cabrera CF
Jose Molina C

 Tags  Fenway Yankees

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.