The Lance Berkman Trade

As you may know, the Yankees acquired Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros today.

Rumor has it that the two players going to Houston are Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes.

Melancon, as Yankees fans know, made brief appearances with the Yankees in 2009 and 2010, compiling a 4.87 ERA in 20.2 innings. The 25-year old reliever surged through the system in 2008, making three stops along the way and compiling an 8-1 record with a 2.27 ERA in 95 innings. He walked 22 and struck out 89 and quickly became the best relief prospect in the organization. In 2009, he continued his success by putting up a 2.89 ERA in 32 games for Scranton, striking out 54 in 53 innings pitched.

Melancon has struggled in 2010, though. At Scranton, he is 6-1 but with a 3.67 ERA in 56.1 innings. He has allowed 63 hits, but the biggest number is the walks: He has issued 31 of them while striking out 58. He has pretty much fallen off of the prospect map for the Yankees, as he was barely even thought about as the major league bullpen struggled. With arms like George Kontos and Ryan Pope on the horizon in Trenton, Melancon was likely seen as expendable. And when you are looking to add depth to a major league roster, trading a relief pitcher is not something I get too worked up about.

Paredes is a very interesting prospect. A very raw prospect, but interesting nevertheless. Signed as an international free agent in 2006, Paredes has climbed the ladder one step at a time. The 21-year old infielder (he has played mostly second base this season, but his position is likely going to eventually be third base) had stints in the DSL in 2007 and the GCL in 2008 before making it to Staten Island in 2009, putting up a .302/.336/.416 line in 221 at-bats. He stole 23 out of 32 bases. This season, Paredes made his debut in a full-season league and has put up very respectable numbers: .282/.312/.408 with five home runs, 48 RBI, and 36 steals in 46 attempts. On the flip side, he has also made 36 errors. In 16 games at short, he made eight errors. In 71 games at second, he has made 23 errors.

While it looks like speed is the name of Paredes’ game, it really isn’t if scouting reports are to be believed. Most of what I have read speak of his power potential over his speed potential. He is a bit of a free swinger, and needs a lot of work if he is going to tap into the potential. He’s a very long-range prospect who frankly can still go in many directions in his career. If he reaches the absolute top of his potential, he would probably be a very good major league third baseman with good power. But that is not something that is even close to being realized.

In the end, it is the type of deal the Yankees should never say no to.