Major League Baseball

Yankees trade for slugger Berkman, reliever Wood

Published Jul. 31, 2010 8:45 p.m. ET

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Lance Berkman is ready for the expectations that go with wearing the pinstripes.

The New York Yankees sent reliever Mark Melancon and minor league infielder Jimmy Paredes to Houston on Saturday for the five-time All-Star first baseman, who will become the Yankees' designated hitter. Houston will pay $4 million as part of the deal.

''Every since I've been active in professional baseball, the Yankees have either won the World Series or were extremely upset they didn't win the World Series,'' Berkman said. ''That's a different deal. There's not another organization in the game that has kind of expectation.''

Berkman was the DH in Saturday night's game against Tampa Bay, batting second in manager Joe Girardi's lineup. He flied out in his first at-bat.

''I was thinking to myself on the way over here, I was like 'Man, I'm going to play for the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays, basically for first place in the division,''' Berkman said. ''Or I'd be going up to play the Milwaukee Brewers, you know what I'm saying, there's like 10 people in the stands. Not to say anything bad, either about the Astros or the Brewers, it's just the situation we were in this year.''

The Yankees also acquired pitcher Kerry Wood from the Cleveland Indians, the third deal in less than 24 hours for the World Series champions as they beefed up for the stretch run. On Friday, New York obtained outfielder Austin Kearns from Cleveland for a player to be named or cash.

''I think the upside is very good for us. I don't think there's a risk,'' Girardi said. ''Obviously we have to go out and play well in a very high level and continue to win. I like the moves we made.''

Injured Nick Johnson and now Berkman have replaced World Series MVP Hideki Matsui at DH since the Yankees won their 27th championship last year. Kearns will likely get playing time against left-handed pitching in place of Curtis Granderson, hitting just .214 with one homer and four RBIs in 53 games off lefties.

The Chicago White Sox had worked out a deal for Berkman, who rejected the trade.

''He sent me a message and said it wasn't personal but he had already had conversations with Andy Pettitte and they're best friends and that's kind of what was in his mind, his family's mind, but he had absolutely had no qualms about our situation here,'' White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said.

Berkman and Pettitte were teammate on the Astros from 2004-06.

''One of the reasons I decided, I was like here you are at this point of your career, something's got to change,'' Berkman said. ''You've got to do something, either retirement or get into a situation where you're scared again. If you come here and do great, the people will love you. If you flop, then they'll be, this guy is a bum and get him out of here. Either way it's simulating.''

Berkman never thought in a ''million years'' that he would play for the Yankees. His favorite player growing up was Don Mattingly, and became a switch-hitter because his father's favorite was Mickey Mantle.

''I didn't think that a set of circumstances would come along that would make this happen,'' Berkman said.

The 34-year-old Berkman will spell Mark Teixeira at first base and might occasionally play in the outfield. He hit .245 with 13 homers and 49 RBIs in 298 at-bats with Houston.

Berkman, last an All-Star in 2008, is making $14.5 million this year. His contract includes a team option for 2011 at $15 million with a $2 million buyout.

Astros general manager Ed Wade said the team probably wouldn't have offered Berkman salary arbitration in the offseason.

''So that means there would have been no compensation coming back to us in the form of draft picks if he signed with another club. So we would have been left with zero had we retained Lance to that point,'' Wade said.

Of the slightly more than $7.15 million remaining on the contract, the Yankees will pay $3,150,273.

Wood, a hard-throwing, 33-year-old righty, gives the Yankees another setup option alongside Joba Chamberlain for closer Mariano Rivera.

''I'm obviously excited to go and pitch in a pennant race,'' Wood said. ''It's a chance to be in the postseason and win a championship. That's why we all the play the game.''

Girardi caught Wood in Chicago, where the right-hander had a 20-strikeout game as a starter.

The Yankees sent Cleveland a player to be named or $500,000, and the Indians gave New York $2,172,131. New York will pay $1.5 million of the $3,672,131 remaining on Wood's $10.5 million salary this year. His contract includes an $11 million team option for 2011.

Wood was activated from the disabled list by the Indians on Saturday. He had been sidelined by a blister on his right index finger.

It was his second time on the DL this year. He didn't pitch until May 8 because of a strained muscle in his upper back.

Wood was 1-4 with a a 6.30 ERA and eight saves in 23 relief appearances for Cleveland. New York opened a roster spot by designating right-hander Chan Ho Park for assignment.

Cleveland has until Oct. 15 to decide whether to select a player from a designated list or to take the cash.

The Yankees also optioned first baseman Juan Miranda and outfielder Colin Curtis to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

''The last 72 hours, things got pretty hot,'' Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

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