Yankees swap Farnsworth for Pudge -- but why?

In one of his first moves as a bona fide, independent general manager, Brian Cashman signed Kyle Farnsworth to a three-year, $17-million deal, on December 2, 2005.

[Duane - Central Islip]

This article was obviously written by someone who failed to notice the number of times that Farnsworth had to ask for a new baseball to replace each 98 MPH straight fastball, with no movement, that would land in front of the 4 train in late innings. Farnsworth added NOTHING to this team. If Farnsworth had become such a "dominant set up man...", explain the game at Fenway last Friday where, in his first big chance to show his stuff, he wilted like a dead flower, was replaced at the first sign of trouble, and needed Mariano to clean up his mess. If Cashman had gotten a pile of rubble from the old Tiger Stadium, currently under demolition, it would have improved this team. Finally a good week for Cashman. It's about time.

[michaelz]

stupid article. Farnsworth has a million dollar arm and a ten head. He's always one pitch from a melt down. That pit I feel in my stomach everytime he comes in will be felt no longer. There isn't one Yankee fan the last three years that will say they feel comfortable with worthless coming in the game in the 8th inning against a good team, just because he's had a good three months. Do your homework buddy and notice his success has come at the hands of pretty weak competition. Against Boston, we had to got get him in the eighth and bring Rivera in. Good riddance!

[Pinstripelifer]

C'mon!!! Sweat a deal that gets rid of FARNSWORTH for Pudge? What're you smokin? The Yanks can use the newly acquired Marte to cover whatever Kyle would have "attempted" to hand-off to Mo. Forget the Cashman record of trades with the Tigers...Nandy,Marte,Sexon and now a short term Pudge to see us through the season. With the ego wars on the BoSux bench,they're imploding!The "Baby Rays" are starting to fell the pressure and it may well crush them.#27 looks more possible every day and this trade could go a long way to makin' it happen.

[david]

This guy Davidoff knows zilch about sports. How the hell does he get to be a writer????? This is a great move for the Yanks. Anyone who's seen Farnsworth pitch since the Yanks signed him would agree, so obviously this idiot writer hasn't. Either that or he's a Bosox fan hiding his jealousy again everytime the Yanks do something to improve the team. I've read many of his past articles and found each to be a joke and totally senseless!!!

[LIAM]

Honestly when I first heard of the trade I wasnt to sure about it. Loved having Molina's arm behind the plate and kind of thought Jorge's going down to be a blessing in disguise seeing as he wasnt really hitting and Molina's arm is a million times better. After letting it settle in it made more sense to me. None of us trusted Farnsworth in any sort of big spot. The long ball was never far off. Pudge is not the player he was by any means, but the tandem of him and Molina looks pretty damn good. I feel that another trade must be made before the deadline if not 2 deals. Yanks still need a starter(hopefully Washburn) and who knows if we have another arm for the penn coming in. Not anyone big, but atleast someone we can trust a little more then Farnsworth in a big spot.

[Scott]

I had to get past the "enemy" aspect of I-Rod joining the Yanks (c'mon, the guy beat the Yanks in the World Series with the Marlins and again in the playoffs with the Tigers), so admittedly I was reluctant at first. Farnsworth has been pitching better under Girardi, but you're right, he was only a pitch away from parking one in front of the 4 train. I like Molina, but now Joe can pick his spots, and I am thrilled about the "energy" that Pudge brings to the Yanks. I think it is his clubhouse intangibles that seal the deal, and make this a great trade. Defensively, there aren't too many better so we don't lose anything with Molina on the bench. I, too, am pulling for Washburn to be wearing pinstripes by tomorrow night, but I like the aggressiveness of the Yanks so far as they try to bridge the gap between themselves and the Sox/Rays.

[FIRE WALLY]

I dont like the trade for the Yankees, they couldn't afford to give up pitching

[tjrover]

Fair points but riddle me this - anyone think the Yankees were going to retain Farnsworth after this year? Pudge is a Type A free agent - which means the Yankees will get good draft compensation when he leaves at the end of the year. Or he can be retained (unlikely) as insurance for Posada and Jorge can break in next year at first until he's fully healed and the team can switch off with those 2 between first and catcher (again, unlikely but plausible)

[Yogi Bear]

There is a reason why some guys are sportswriters and other guys are GM's. This article written by an obviously clueless dork presents one of those reasons. Duh. No one above the age of 8 can't see that this is a great deal for the Yanks. Getting Farnsworthless out of town is a good deal at any cost - getting Pudge in the deal is fantastic. Farnsworthless' value is about equivalent to a bag of used baseballs. He has the stuff but not the emotional makeup to be a closer. He's a mental case. Good riddance. He was a huge mistake from the start.

[Jim]

Adios Farnsworthless! Always 1 pitch away from a disaster!

[AZGMenFan]

11 homers in 44 1/3 innings pitched this year. Yeah I'm real confident in that guy.

[Yankee Fan Number one]

I think it's a great deal. The Yankees are corning the steroid-abusing player market.

[JAMES VON VEIT]

Farnsworth showed more confidence, but I'll take my chances anyday with a Hall Of Famer like Pudge Rodriquez. I believed before the season and I believe today that the Yanks will win the World Series in the last year of the great Yankee Stadium. Bookends, 1923 & 2008. I'm excited to be a Yankees fan! Also, Yankee killer Manny trades his red Sox. AWESOME!!!

[Joe Citizen]

Duane - Central Islip wrote:

This article was obviously written by someone who failed to notice the number of times that Farnsworth had to ask for a new baseball to replace each 98 MPH straight fastball, with no movement, that would land in front of the 4 train in late innings. Farnsworth added NOTHING to this team. If Farnsworth had become such a "dominant set up man...", explain the game at Fenway last Friday where, in his first big chance to show his stuff, he wilted like a dead flower, was replaced at the first sign of trouble, and needed Mariano to clean up his mess. If Cashman had gotten a pile of rubble from the old Tiger Stadium, currently under demolition, it would have improved this team. Finally a good week for Cashman. It's about time.

Good commentary Duane, I couldnt have said it better myself. As soon as the announcers said Farnsworth hadn't given up a hit in 28 games I knew it was coming. I called him, "Effin' Farnsworth."

[Jeff S]

It's so obvious when a writer doesn't actually watch the team's games he is commenting on. "If someone other than Farnsworth steps up?!" Veras, Ramirez and Robertson have been as good or better than Farnsworth this year. Any of them can setup. Also, last year Farsy couldn't pitch 2 innings or two days in a row due to his balky back. That we revived his career long enough to get something for him is a miracle. Just wait. Pudge will lead us to the playoffs and Farnsworth who I wish well, will give up 8th inning HR's as he always has.

[Jim Clark]

I never thought I'd see a reasonably intelligent man like Mr Davidoff not like trading away Mr Farnsworth. Mr Cashman did as well as can be expected in getting an aging juicer Mr I. Rodriguez to replace the injured Mr Posada. Mr Molina and Mr Moeller will not cut it over an entire year.

[Martin]

Ken, I guess you have to write something to justify your column---be geez, pick on another trade to pick apart. This is a no brainer. Farnsworth's value has never been higher than the last month---but that's all he has to show after almost three years with the Yanks. I you and the other news hawks will admit that the Yanks can't rely on Molina as the every day catcher for the rest of the year. Kyle and I-Rod's contracts both run out at the end of the year so this is really a low risk deal.

[bill]

Forget the Cashman record of trades with the Tigers...Nandy,Marte,Sexon and now a short term Pudge to see us through the season.

Reminds me of the 80s Yankees, buying vets everywhere and expecting a championship.

[bill]

Farnsworth showed more confidence, but I'll take my chances anyday with a Hall Of Famer like Pudge Rodriquez

which hall of fame? the juicin' hall of fame with Sosa, McGwire, Giambi, Bonds, Tejada, Clemens, Palmiero? That hall of fame?

[Jim from Middle GA]

It was the right time to move Farnsworth. His value would never be higher. With the upcoming final part of the season, I would be his implosion will be spectacular. The Yanks could not afford to have anything happen to Molina. This was a trade out of need.