The Yankees dealt Chris Hammond and cash to Oakland for RHP Edwardo Sierra and J.T. Stotts on December 18th. New York imprudently appears to prefer re-signing Gabe White to retaining Hammond.

Hammond pitched well for the Yankees, compiling a 45:11 K:BB with 65 H and 5 HR allowed in 63 IP for a 2.86 ERA over 62 appearances. While the Yankee defense allowed Hammond's hit rate to rise as expected and his HR/9 drifted from outstanding to good, the 37-year-old's walk rate went from questionable to superb. The only potentially worrisome element of his numbers was that unlike most left-handed pitchers he demonstrated a greater proficiency against right-handed batters rather than favoring lefty match-ups. Oakland should be a somewhat friendlier park, and the A's defense could be very good.