For Kyle Farnsworth. Farnsworth was pretty reliable as a setup man this year. Hopefully Marte can step up into that role. And the Yanks definitely needed a catcher. Good move for both the Yanks and Tigers IMO

I'm not sure why the Tigers need Farnsworth. Last year this might have made more sense, but they finally have Rodney and Zumaya healthy to pitch the 7th and 8th, handing off to Jones in the 9th (even though Jones is a disaster.) I don't see where Farnsworth fits in. Pudge is not the hitter he was and doesn't quite have the super cannon he had, but he's still a hell of a defensive catcher. In a lineup like the Yanks, where big numbers are not required from that spot, he should work nicely. I guess Inge will be the #1 catcher in Det.

I like what Pudge can do for Joba and Hughes

Farnsworth will be the Detroit closer within two weeks.



What can he do for Joba and Hughes? He has never been all that good at working with pitchers or calling a game. I like the move, but lets not overstate it. Pudge made his mark defensively with his arm and ability to block balls in the dirt. He was never known as a student of the game.

My guess...Molina still plays against the better base stealing teams (Minn, Tampa) and Pudge plays when his bat is more necessary (Red Sox, White Sox). They will split games against the Angels.

I'm not sure what the Yanks were doing today...Granted, they did get a great defensive catcher and offensive weapon to fill Jorge's role, however, combined with the loss of Farnsworthless and the subsequent trading of Latroy Hawkins today as well, I feel as though they depleted one of the strongest aspects of their squad.

I think that Marte is a leftie specialist and not meant for full time set up duty, so I think that Ramirez, Henn, Abendejo, are going to be the primary set up men for Rivera...a set up man by committee so to speak.

Not sure how feel about the Pudge deal yet. Though we should have signed Barry Bonds cause.....

"He is still feared by pitchers everywhere"

I don't think he'll be able to do much for Hughes- Phil the Franchise isn't going to be coming back for at least another 4 weeks, if at all, this season.



I hate to break it to you, but Sean Henn is in San Diego now, and Albaladejo has been on the DL for awhile- I don't think they'll be gettin much play for the setup role. I agree with you that they depleted the bullpen, but after acquiring Marte, the bullpen became the one place on the team where they could afford to trade a major leaguer. They'll probably call up Bruney, who's been pretty good in AAA from what I read, or mabe Britton can stick- I still have faith in him. I think they'll go with Veras in the set-up until he forces them not to. Edwar has been phenomenal in July, but until he gets a good 2nd pitch to go with his changeup, he's not going to be able to be consistently effective, IMO. Marte should be given a shot, even though he totally sucked and blew the O's game open on Tuesday- give him a mulligan for his first Yankee Stadium appearance, I suppose. He's had great splits against righties this year, as well, so I say give him a shot if Veras falters. Regardless of who eventually takes the 8th, I'm still pretty happy with this bullpen. As for Farnsworth- best of luck. Girardi, for all his emotion yesterday, demonstrated through his actions in Fenway that he didn't trust KF to hold a lead in a big game. He pulled KF after KF let two guys get on in the 8th on Saturday or Friday, I can't remember which. If KF was reliable, you leave him in in that spot. So, good bye and good luck, KF. IRod bolsters the catching, because if Molina went down, the Yanks would have nothing at that spot. I think they'll split time, because Molina has been gret behind the plate and I imagine the staff have a good report with him. Irod isn't that great of an offensive player anymore, and his stats look similar to Molina's, but he has a higher BA than Molina so I guess that counts for something. Maybe some of those hits come with players on base. Anyway, fine trade, both players are rentals, and, according to Riveraveblues.com, Irod is a type A free agent and KF a type B, so the Yankees will get better compensation at the end of the year. And trading LaTroy Hawkins for anybody is a coup.