"Three weeks ago, the Yankees thought they had acquired a difference-maker in Cliff Lee.

Yesterday, they completed two deals they hope improve their lineup and bullpen.

Hours before their 5-4 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field, the Yankees officially added switch-hitter Lance Berkman in a trade from the Astros and got right-handed reliever Kerry Wood in a deal from the Indians. Late Friday night, the Yankees acquired outfielder Austin Kearns from the Indians.

"The last 72 hours, things got hot," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We wound up with three deals we were comfortable with."

Time will tell if they were the right moves.

"The upside is very good for us," manager Joe Girardi said of his club making three moves at the trading deadline despite possessing the best record in baseball (66-37 after last night's win) and having a one-game lead over the Rays before it grew to two games last night. "I don't think there is a risk. We have to play at a high level to win but I like the moves."

Considering the 34-year-old Berkman is an experienced switch-hitter who can play first base and possibly the outfield, he gives Girardi versatility. He will, however, get most of his at-bats as the Yankees' designated hitter. Andy Pettitte's close friend was in the lineup last night at DH and hitting second against right-hander Matt Garza. He went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Juan Miranda was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for Berkman, an improvement in that spot, especially because the trade only cost the Yankees minor leaguers Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes and the Astros paid $4 million of the money due Berkman."