The Yankees have sent 22-year old righty starting pitcher Zach McAllister to the Indians to complete the Austin Kearns trade. McAllister came into this season as the Yankees’ #5 prospect according to Baseball America but he has not pitched well at all this year. McAllister pitched in 24 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Yankees this year and he was 8-10 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. He finished his minor league career with the Yankees having pitched in 98 games (86 starts) in five years and he was 38-32 with 1 save, a 3.40 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Austin Kearns better continue to play well for the Yankees or they might regret trading McAllister down the road.

30-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B Chad Tracy has opted out of his minor league deal with the Yankees thus becoming a free agent. Tracy played in 18 games in AAA-ball for the Yanks and he was 22 of 68 (.324 avg, 1.018 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 6 homers and 18 RBIs. I don’t blame Tracy for leaving to find another job as he wasn’t going to get called up any time soon.

The Yankees have designated 37-year old righty reliever Chan Ho Park for assignment to make room on the roster for Kerry Wood. Park pitched in 29 games (0 starts) for the Yankees this year and he was 2-1 with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. His biggest problem in pin stripes was the gopher ball as he gave up 7 homers in only 35 1/3 for the Yanks. They won’t miss him at all.

UPDATE: (8/4/2010) - The Pirates have claimed Park off of waivers.

The Yankees have acquired 33-year old righty reliever Kerry Wood and cash from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later. Wood pitched in 23 games (0 starts) for the Indians this year and he was 1-4 with 8 saves, a 6.30 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He has now pitched in 357 games (178 starts) in his 12 years in the majors and he is 81-68 with 62 saves, a 3.71 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. The Yankees probably will try Wood out as the set-up man to Mariano Rivera. You just know that Joe Girardi had his hands in this deal as he caught for Wood while they were together in Chicago with the Cubs.

The Yankees have acquired 30-year old righty swinging outfielder Austin Kearns from the Indians for a player to be named later or cash. Kearns played in 84 games for the Indians this year and he was 82 of 301 (.272 avg) with 42 runs scored, 8 homers, 42 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has now played in 925 games in his major league career and he is 817 of 3,177 (.257 avg, .778 OPS) with 467 runs scored, 113 homers, 464 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. This was another solid trade for the Yankees as Kearns gives them another solid outfielder to strengthen the bench.