The Cleveland Indians traded Austin Kearns to the New York Yankees for a player to be named later.
Kearns—who struggled mightily in 2008 and 2009, hitting a combined .210—has experienced a career renaissance this season, hitting .272 (his highest average since his rookie season) with eight home runs and 42 RBI. He should provided excellent help off the bench as the Yankees strive for another playoff berth in 2010.
Kearns is one of a superabundance of “top prospects” that never quite panned out. Though he has swatted as many as 24 home runs in a big league season, he has yet to become a stand-out player. Fighting with inconsistency throughout his entire career, he seems to have regained his stroke—for now.
A Player to be Named Later has been around the whole league, twice. He is constantly being traded, almost as if no team wants his service permanently—yet he remains perpetually. Though his statistics are fuzzy, teams must enjoy his presence as he seems to have been around since baseball began.
