A day later, the trade which sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees became official. As it turned out, neither former Staten Island Yankee George Kontos nor Trenton teammate Phil Coke were in the deal as reported late last night.

Instead, both Double-A starters are staying put while Triple-A SP’s Jeff Karstens and ex-Baby Bomber Daniel McCutchen are going to the Pirates to complete the trade which also sent outfield prospect Jose Tabata and reliever Russ Ohlendorf the other way.

In 12 starts this season for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, the 25 year-old Karstens was 6-4 with a 3.80 ERA while striking out 55 in 68 and a two thirds. He made his final start last night picking up the win going five and two thirds on three runs, nine hits while walking a couple and fanning five. The former Texas Tech star was selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2003 Draft.

During an injury riddled 2007, he made one appearance with Staten Island tossing five innings of one-run ball while fanning eight for a victory during a rehab stint. Thus far, Karstens has seen limited action in the majors having little success going 1-4 with over an 11.00 ERA.

The 25 year-old McCutchen had a great 2007 pitching extremely well for both Tampa and Trenton combining to go 14-4 with a 2.47 ERA in 23 starts (24 GP). In 142 total innings, the former University of Oklahoma star who the Yanks grabbed in the 13th round back in 2006 allowed just 116 hits and nine long balls while walking 33 and striking out 103. Opponents hit just .227 against him. For his outstanding performance, he was tabbed a Florida State League Mid-season and Post-season All-Star.

Oddly enough, he was originally taken by the Yanks in the 2003 27th round but didn’t sign. Tampa selected him the following year in Rd. 28 but he didn’t sign. The Cards also took him in 2005 in Rd.12 but failed to sign him as well allowing the Yankees a second chance to get him. He saw limited action here in Staten Island going 1-0 in two starts with a 1.13 ERA. In eight innings, he struck out 11 before progressing to Charleston.

In his first season at Triple-A, McCutchen had mixed results posting a 4-6 mark with a 3.58 ERA in 11 outings. Two of those four victories were shutouts. In 70.1 IP, he’s allowed 73 hits (10 HR) while walking only 11 and K-ing 58.

Now, the older McCutchen will team with Pirates’ outfield prospect Andrew McCutchen hoping to impress enough to make the bigs. Interestingly enough, both were busted for steroids with the latter serving out a 50-game suspension before bouncing back.

So, now the deal is done and Nady and Marte will be in Pinstripes probably in 20 minutes as the Bronx Bombers aim for eight straight with Andy Pettite opposing Tim Wakefield in Fenway.

If there’s one criticism of how the trade changed, it’s that it put bloggers like myself and even writers who cover the sport at a disadvantage. MLB writer Jennifer Langosch’s original story which appeared on milb.com last night still is up giving analysis on both Kontos and Coke even though they wound up staying.

Heck. It wasn’t even fair to Coke, who after one scoreless frame where he K’d the side was pulled from the game last night.

Such is the nature of the business where sometimes, things change. I’m very happy that Kontos will be staying put. Must’ve been a roller coaster of emotions over the past 24 hours for the former Northwestern star. We’ll see if he and his teammate make the most of it in the Yankee organization.

Blake dealt to Dodgers: In other MLB news, Casey Blake was dealt from the Indians to the Dodgers in exchange for two minor leaguers. The 34 year-old veteran utility man was hitting .289 with 11 homers and 58 RBI’s. He’ll go to LA and play mostly third. He also can play first and the outfield if needed. Solid pickup for Joe Torre’s club.