The New York Yankees Have Acquired Their Good Luck Charm - Eric Hinske

On Tuesday Eric Hinske was acquired by the New York Yankees from the Pittsburgh Pirates for two Class A players, outfielder Eric Fryer and pitcher Casey Erickson. Eric Hinske makes a paltry $1.5 million a year. The New York Yankees should be able to pay this kinda money out of their petty cash. This should also enable Yankees to avoid claiming his salary, and avoid paying more of that nuisance luxury tax.

I guess they have given up on looking for more expensive talent and are they are now relying on good luck. Who is Eric Hinske, and why have the New York Yankees given up on developing home-grown talent? Comparisons are being made by the New York Times Yankee blogger to Don Baylor in the 1980's who played for three different teams who appeared in three different World Series. Eric Hinske, the Forrest Gump of baseball, so far has the good luck to have played for the 2007 Boston Red Sox, and the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.

The free agents, while not preforming at an award winning level, seem to be doing ok. CC Sabathia has been out because of his biceps, but had been improving steadily before he went on the DL. AJ Burnett has been fairly consistent, and has only had one bad outing this year. Both pitchers have an ERA below 4.00 which is above average in this day and age. Mark Teixeira is on track for his best season yet - 71 games - 20 Hrs and 60 RBIs, especially after a slow start. So, why would the Yankees give up on young rookies for a good luck charm?

Eric Hinske is one of those players that could not even come close to replicating his 2002 Rookie of the Year season when he had 24 Hrs, 84 RBIs and a .279 BA. Sure, the New York Yankees are in the middle of a very tight pennant race - Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Toronto Blue Jays (but the Jays usually call it quits on August 1st) but why do the New York Yankees have to go to the Voodoo doctor for good luck charms in June?