Yankees pick up Headley from Padres

Jul 22, 2014 - 6:17 PM Bronx, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Yankees have acquired third baseman Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres in exchange for infielder Yangervis Solarte and pitcher Rafael De Paula.

The Yankees also received cash considerations in the deal.

Headley is batting just .229 with seven homers and 32 runs batted in over 77 games this season. He was considered one of the Padres' top players just two years ago when he clubbed 31 homers, drove in 115 runs and batted .286.

However, the 30-year-old Colorado native saw his production drop dramatically last year with only 13 homers and 50 RBI while batting .250 in 141 games. He has 87 homers and 401 RBI with a .266 average over eight big league seasons.

Solarte won a job with the Yankees during spring training and had a hot start to the season that made him the everyday third baseman for much of the first two months.

However, he struggled for most of June and was sent to the minors in early July before a quick recall because of injuries. He was batting .299 on June 8, but is currently hitting .254 with six homers and 31 RBI in 75 games. The 27- year-old native of Venezuela had 26 runs batted in through May.

De Paula, a 23-year-old right-hander, is 6-5 with a 4.15 earned run average and 104 strikeouts in 89 innings over 20 games for Single-A Tampa.

It's the second big trade for the Padres in a week. They dealt closer Huston Street to the Angels last Friday.

The Yankees have also now made a pair of moves this month, previously acquiring pitcher Brandon McCarthy from Arizona to help an injury-plagued rotation.