It was on this date in 2008 the Pittsburgh Pirates unloaded OF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees for what seemed like nothing. Just another attempted salary dump by the Pirates, who at the time were criticized for trying to help the Yankees while not being concerned about their own well being.
The Pirates have benefitted from this trade since, with three of the four players obtained from the Yankees currently on their 40 man roster. Jose Tabata is getting a lot of playing time in the OF, hitting .230, 3, 11 in 72 games. Jeff Karstens has had some success (3-2, 3.52 in 8 starts) despite having injury problems. Daniel McCutchen had a breakout year as a set up man last year before losing this season to an arm injury. Only Ross Ohlendorf, who pitched well early on, is no longer with the Pirates. Despite injuries to Karstens and McCutchen, it is expected they will recover and be part of the Pirates in the near future.
Nady was hitting .157 this season before the Nationals let him go. He last played for the Yankees in 2009. However, he was injured and missed most of the season, including the entire postseason. Marte could have been a valuable piece, except he was injured for the better part of the corresponding three seasons, last pitching in 2010. It is unlikely he will ever pitch again.
The odd thing about this deal is that it continues to be worded as a pro Yankees trade. I do not think it is, particularly now. Remember, the Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008, the year this trade was made. Yes, the injuries to the two Pirates pitchers do not make the deal stand out as much as they did last season, but in my opinion, the Pirates were the winners in this trade.
The Pirates have benefitted from this trade since, with three of the four players obtained from the Yankees currently on their 40 man roster. Jose Tabata is getting a lot of playing time in the OF, hitting .230, 3, 11 in 72 games. Jeff Karstens has had some success (3-2, 3.52 in 8 starts) despite having injury problems. Daniel McCutchen had a breakout year as a set up man last year before losing this season to an arm injury. Only Ross Ohlendorf, who pitched well early on, is no longer with the Pirates. Despite injuries to Karstens and McCutchen, it is expected they will recover and be part of the Pirates in the near future.
Nady was hitting .157 this season before the Nationals let him go. He last played for the Yankees in 2009. However, he was injured and missed most of the season, including the entire postseason. Marte could have been a valuable piece, except he was injured for the better part of the corresponding three seasons, last pitching in 2010. It is unlikely he will ever pitch again.
The odd thing about this deal is that it continues to be worded as a pro Yankees trade. I do not think it is, particularly now. Remember, the Yankees missed the playoffs in 2008, the year this trade was made. Yes, the injuries to the two Pirates pitchers do not make the deal stand out as much as they did last season, but in my opinion, the Pirates were the winners in this trade.
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