Chase Headley: New York Yankees acquire third baseman; Padres get Solarte and De Paula

By Robert Christie - 22 Jul '14 16:13PM

The New York Yankees aren't exactly overflowing with top minor league prospects or desirable trade pieces but that doesn't mean they aren't making moves. The Bronx Bombers have acquired third baseman Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres for infielder Yangervis Solarte and right hander Rafael De Paula, according to MLB.com.

This is a good move for the Yanks despite the fact Headley - .229 BA, 7 HR, 32 RBI, .296 OBP - is having a worse year than Solarte - .254 BA, 6 HR, 31 RBI, .337 OBP.

Earlier in the season Solarte was batting well above .300 and was surprising many baseball analysts and fans. However, he has hit a major slump and hasn't been the same player he was in April and May.

Headley was a part of a struggling team in San Diego. The Padres (43-55) are third in the NL West. Headley's .229 batting average did not help the Padres who post a .215 team batting average - the worst in the MLB.

However, Headley has hit in the past. In 2012, he posted a .286 batting average with 31 homeruns and 115 RBIs. The 30-year old is also a switch hitter, giving the Yankees another batter from both sides of the plate to go along with switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira.

As for the 23-year old de Paula, he was 6-5 with a 4.15 ERA in Class A Tampa this year as a part of the Yankees organization.

The Yanks still need some help if they are going to make the post season. They are currently four games behind the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East. They are 2.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the second wild card spot.

Despite the great pitching the Yankees have gotten from Shane Greene, David Phelps, Hiroki Kuroda and new Yankee Brandon McCarthy, they still need to fill the hole left by the injured Masahiro Tanaka (12-4, 2.51 ERA, 135 SO). There was talk the Yanks may go after Cliff Lee. However, Lee may not want to play in NY and his recent injury issues make him a slight risk.

The Yankees play the second game tonight of a three game series against the Texas Rangers.