Yankees acquire 3rd baseman Chase Headley from Padres
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The New York Yankees acquired San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley on Tuesday, the team announced.
San Diego will receive third baseman Yangervis Solarte and right-handed pitching prospect Rafael De Paula in exchange for the switch-hitting Headley.
The Padres will pay $1 million of the roughly $4 million remaining on his $10.5 million salary.
"It's bittersweet," Headley told MLB.com's Corey Brock following the trade. "But I'm excited to move on to a team in the race right now."
Headley wasn't kidding. He hit a walk-off single in the 14th inning Tuesday night against the Texas Rangers, giving the Yankees a 2-1 win.
Headley was at the center of trade rumors this season, despite playing through a herniated disk.
The 30-year-old's .649 OPS is the lowest of his career, but after receiving an epidural to alleviate pain in his back, Headley is hitting .298/.330/.405 over the last month.
San Diego's second-round pick in 2005 failed to make the playoffs in eight seasons with the club, and expressed disappointment the team didn't enjoy more success during his time there.
"It was really tough," he said. "Wish we could have won more for [manager Bud Black]. One regret was wish we could have made playoffs."
The Yankees have been decimated by injuries this year, particularly to the starting rotation. New York currently sits four games back of the division-leading Baltimore Orioles in the American League East.
Headley, who is a free agent at the end of the season, was one of the top third basemen in baseball over the last two years, posting a .270/.363/.453 slash line and the fourth-most wins above replacement (10.7). He also offers a defensive upgrade at third base over Solarte.
The 27-year-old rookie filled in admirably for suspended third baseman Alex Rodriguez, hitting .294/.363/.458 with six homers during his first two months in the majors.
But Solarte cooled off considerably, collecting just three extra-base hits with a .476 OPS since the beginning of June.
De Paula, 23, started 17 games and made 20 appearances for Class A Tampa this season. The right-hander posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 104 strikeouts in 89 innings.