Tigers trade "Pudge" Rodriguez to the Yankees

Detroit Tigers catcher Pudge Rodriguez acknowledges the applause of the crowd in the fifth inning of their MLB American League baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Detroit, Michigan in this September 21, 2007 file photo.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Yankees have traded for 14-time All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez, acquiring him from the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees said on Wednesday.

Right-handed reliever Kyle Farnsworth heads to the Tigers as part of the deal which gives the Yankees a replacement for starting catcher Jorge Posada.

Posada has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury.

Rodriguez, 37, nicknamed 'Pudge' is a 13-times Gold Glove winner who is in his 18th Major League season.

Born in Puerto Rico, Rodriguez was American League MVP in 1999 when he was with the Texas Rangers and was later part of the 2003 World Series winning Florida Marlins team.

Rodriguez has a batting average of .302, has scored 293 career home runs and has been with the Tigers since 2004.

(Editing by John Mehaffey)