The Yankees today traded for Eric Hinske from the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for two minor leaguers, Casey Erickson and Eric Fryer.  Hinske has been with several clubs, starting with the Blue Jays in 2002 where he won the AL Rookie of the Year award, then moving the Red Sox for a few years, where he was a part of the 2007 Championship team, last year with the Tampa Bay Rays, then the Pirates, and now the Yankees.

Hinske is 31 years old, and was sportinga  .255 batting average with 11 RBI coming into today.  He was to be paid $1.5MM from the Pirates this year, there's some mention that the Pirates are going to be picking up some of his remaining contract.  His contract expires at the end of the year.  The Yankees have not yet announced what roster move they will make to make room for him on the major league club.

GM Brian Cashman had said that he wasn't intersted in adding any new offensive players to the club, depsite their recently troubles.  However, Hinske was too valuable a player to pass up, as can play 5 positions -- all three outfiled spots, and first and third base.  This move was possibly made necessary by the recent setback in Xavier Nady's rehabilition from his elbow injury.  Nady is apparently considering having Tommy John surgery again on his right elbow, he had the same surgery once in 2001.

Hinkse could be used to fill in that gap, as he's played 13 games this year in the outfield, and can be used as a pinch hitter or corner infielder.  He also has World Series experience, having played for the Red Sox in 2007 and the Rays in 2008.  He hit 20 HR and drove in 60 for last year's Rays team.

Hinske was originally a 17th round draft pick, and will play in his 1000 game shortly, possibly wearing pinstripes.  The two minor leagers traded for him were Casey Erickson, a 23-year-old pitcher with class A Charleston who was a 10th round pick in 2006,  and Eric Fryer who was a 10th round pick in 2007 by Milwaukee, and is currently batting .250 with Class A Tampa.