The New York Yankees pulled off the first big trade of the offseason, reaching a tentative agreement on a three-team, seven-player swap that would bring them All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers.
The World Series champions would trade pitcher Ian Kennedy to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and lefty reliever Phil Coke and outfield prospect Austin Jackson to Detroit, a Major League Baseball official said on condition of anonymity because Tuesday’s deal was not yet final.
Detroit would ship All-Star pitcher Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, and Arizona would send touted young pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth to the Tigers. The teams were still working on technical aspects of the trade, the official said, including checking medical records.
“Granderson, of course he’s going to make them better,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “He’s a pretty good outfielder. He plays with a lot of energy. He’s the kind of guy that fits into that landscape in New York, where he’s going to thrive within that kind of a situation.”
Among free agents, the Washington Nationals surprised many by reaching a preliminary agreement on a US$6 million, two-year contract with 38-year-old catcher Ivan Rodriguez, a person familiar with those talks said. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because Pudge must pass a physical.
The 14-time All-Star should be a backup and mentor to 25-year-old Jesus Flores.
Seattle finalized its US$36 million, four-year contract with Chone Figgins, who is likely to become the Mariners’ third baseman and No. 2 hitter behind leadoff man Ichiro Suzuki. The St. Louis Cardinals completed a US$7.5 million, one-year deal with pitcher Brad Penny, who joins a rotation that includes Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.
While the Milwaukee Brewers were negotiating with Randy Wolf, the pitcher’s agent said he did not have an agreement with anyone yet.
Also, the Chicago Cubs were shopping mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley.
Among players eligible for salary arbitration, the Chicago White Sox agreed to a US$14 million, three-year contract with third baseman Mark Teahen. Some teams are waiting to find out which players won’t be tendered contracts before making free-agent moves.
The three-team trade was the big news of the day. The speedy Granderson would displace Melky Cabrera as center fielder on the Yankees. A left-handed batter who could benefit from Yankee Stadium’s short porch, Granderson was a first-time All-Star last season, when he had 30 homers, 71 RBIs and 20 steals.
“He beats up righties with power,” said Maddon, who managed Granderson in this year’s All-Star game. “But they’re going to have to work on the left-on-left issues, and I know that’s something that they’re probably going to address right out of the chute.”
Cabrera, a 25-year-old switch-hitter, batted .274 last season with 13 homers, 68 RBIs and 10 steals. He could shift to left, depending on whether New York re-signs Johnny Damon or designated hitter Hideki Matsui.
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