The good news is Chase Headley was hitting .339 since July 4 for the Padres.
The switch-hitting third baseman with the bad back must keep up that kind of production for the Yankees to have any chance to win the AL East.
The newest Yankee got off to a storybook start. He arrived from Chicago in the second inning Tuesday night and entered the game in the eighth as a pinch hitter, then won the game in the 14th as his one-out single to left-center scored Brian Roberts to give the Yankees a 2-1 victory over the rancid Rangers at Yankee Stadium.
Headley raised his right arm in triumph as the ball landed softly on the grass. He was mobbed by his teammates to end the 4-hour, 51-minute affair.
The Stadium clock read midnight.
“Unbelievable,’’ said Headley, who was 0-for-3 before the big hit. “It’s incredible to go from the situation I was in to go to the pennant race. It’s great. I can’t wait to go out there and get some more [hits].’’
The Yankees can’t wait, either. Third base has become a major problem.
Who knew it would be so difficult to replace Alex Rodriguez?
As general manager Brian Cashman pointed out several times on Tuesday, “I’ve got more work to do. We’re open to anything.’’
Does he ever.
Get a pitcher. Get an outfielder. Get some offense.
Trading Yangervis Solarte and minor league right-handed pitcher Rafael De Paula was the price the Yankees paid to the Padres for Headley while getting $1 million from the Padres in return.
In 2012, Headley was a dominant player for two incredible months. He hasn’t been the same since. He knocked in 63 runs and hit 19 homers the last two months of that season. For the month of June, his OPS was .770. In his final month that season, his OPS was 1.079.
It’s pretty much been all downhill since, but the Yankees are holding out hope Headley can give them a boost much like the lift Alfonso Soriano gave them last season after being acquired from the Cubs on July 14.
Cashman described Headley as an “average’’ third baseman. Average is an upgrade. It’s OK.
Mark Teixeira, 34, is out with a lat injury, so these are difficult times for the Yankees infield.
Derek Jeter is 40 and rounding home. Roberts’ career has been injury-plagued and he is an old 36. Headley is the youngster of the group at 30.
Headley’s offense has picked up this month, Cashman said, “because he had an epidural injection towards the end of June for a herniated disc in his back that he had been playing through. Once he had the epidural, it seems it had a huge impact. We noticed his hit [velocity] had really jumped and his success at the plate had jumped.
“I can’t deny that there is risk. He’s a rental for the next two months,’’ Cashman explained.
Scouts say Headley has “slowed down dramatically’’ from the player he was just a few years ago. Headley also appeared to let contract pressure get to him, so he has a lot to prove with the Yankees.
Headley’s slash line with the Padres was .229/.296/.355, but he has just seven home runs. The loss of power has been dramatic.
“I don’t think we’re getting a thumper, but I do think we are getting a professional at-bat,’’ Cashman said.
Six hours later, Headley showed his professional at-bat.
“It’s like destiny, man,” Yankees starter Chase Whitley said. “This is why this game is so cool.’’
In 2012, Headley led the NL with 115 RBIs. Last season he had 50. This year, 33.
“This is a change-of-scenery deal,’’ another scout said of Headley. “Hopefully, he can make the most of that short porch in right field with the Yankees.’’
Headley made the mistake of turning down a long-term contract that would have made him the highest-paid Padre ever.
For the Yankees, anything is an improvement.
Headley has to show he is not washed up, the same challenge facing many Yankees.