Earlier reports of the trade I'd read had the Yankees asking for Brian Lawrence, which was ludicrous.

White had a horrible season last year, as he was a well-below-replacement hitter. He's a good fielder in left, but not enough to make up for the bad bat. PECOTA doesn't project him to be a valuable hitter this year, either.

White and Trammell are the same age (they're about four months apart in age). White makes $5 million to Trammell's $2.5 million. White's a better fielder. They're essentially the same hitter, though White's "upside" is a little higher. Plus the Yankees got an ok left-handed arm in the deal. Counting on the Yankees to develop that arm isn't a great bet, however.

I think maybe the biggest part of this trade is that Trammell is locked up through 2004, with a club option/buyout for 2005, while the Padres have no obligation to White beyond this year. White's also a more marquee name and so could be worth something interesting at the trade deadline.

Considering the players are essentially equal and that we're unlikely (just from a "no such thing as a pitching prospect" standpoint) to ever hear anything out of Phillips, I'll call this trade a minor win for the Padres. Tweet