The Yankees hoped the lefthanded-hitting Whitaker would hit for power in Yankee Stadium. He played regularly only for the ninth-place 1967 team and hit .243 with 11 HR and 50 RBI. He led AL outfielders in double plays that season. Picked by the Royals in the expansion draft, he was traded with pitcher John Gelnar to the Seattle Pilots just before the start of the season in return for Lou Piniella, who went on to win Rookie of the Year.
