Yankees get third baseman Chase Headley from San Diego Padres

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The New York Yankees made a trade Tuesday they hope strengthens their defense at third base, and adds some needed offense as well.

The Yanks acquired Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres. This season he is only hitting .229 with 7 home runs and 32 RBI's, but he's been heating up in July and is only two years removed from a season in which he hit 32 homers, drove in 115 runs, and won a Gold Glove after the season.

Entering Tuesday's action, Headley has a .339 average since July 4th.

A free agent after the season, he has about $4 million left on his contract, of which the Yankees will pick up $1 million.

Heading to the Padres are infielder Yangervis Solarte and right-hander Rafael De Paula.

The 27-year-old Solarte was hitting .336 as of May 14 but just .180 since and was sent to Triple-A for a week this month. The 23-year-old DePaula was 6-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 17 starts and three relief appearances this year with Class A Tampa.

(Some information from the Associated Press.)