Now that I’ve had some time to think it over, I’ve reached my conclusion: I love the Nick Swisher trade. While Swisher certainly has his flaws, he’s worth the risk. Let’s face it: he won’t hit for average and he won’t hit for major power. But he’s a good on-base guy (career .354 OBP), he can play both 1B and the OF, he’s relatively inexpensive and he is a grinder. He’s the kind of offensive spark plug the Yankees need, a guy who may be able to breathe life into an offense that was lifeless last year. Swisher has always been regarded as an energetic clubhouse presence, a good replacement for the soon to be departed Jason Giambi. Let’s put it this way, the eternally pessimistic Keith Law of ESPN (who hates absolutely everything and everyone) had good things to say about the Yankees end of the deal:
There’s a chance that they got a good offensive player, while the White Sox get rid of Swisher but don’t get anything valuable in return for their trouble.
It’s a gamble for the Yankees, but with the upside that they get an average to above-average bat at first base or in left field if it works out, and the cost in players and money (Swisher is owed $26 million through 2011) is not that great to them.
The throw-in coming to the Yanks, Kanekoa Texeira, is a classic sinker/slider reliever, with his slider being a potential out pitch, but with below-average command. Even if the command doesn’t improve, he’ll pitch in the big leagues, and has a chance to be a late-innings guy if it does improve because he already misses bats and keeps the ball in the park.
And as for the White Sox end of the deal, well they didn’t get much back. Wilson Betemit is useless, a backup utility infielder with some pop. Guys like him are a dime a dozen. Jeff Marquez has some upside, but struggled in 2008. With all of the pitching depth the Yankees have in the organization, we can afford to trade him. And Jhonny Nunez is a nobody, he’s the guy we acquired for Alberto Gonzalez. Useless. So at the end of the day, we got upside without giving up much in return. Swish!
Happy Birthday to Mamie Eisenhower, Prince Charles, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Yanni, Harland Williams, Laura San Giacomo, Patrick Warburton, Rev Run, David Wesley, Josh Duhamel, Lawyer Milloy, Travis Barker, Obie Trice, Xavier Nady and Kyle Orton
Filed under: MLB - Yankees, Writer - Bill Slattery | Tagged: Alberto Gonzalez, Chicago White Sox, Jason Giambi, Jeff Marquez, Jhonny Nunez, Kanekoa Texeira, MLB, New York Yankees, Nick Swisher, Wilson Betemit
patrick warburton is the man but..
where’s my rangers coverage?
Take that up with the other two. All I can tell you about the Rangers is that they wear blue and play in Madison Square Garden.
I’ve reached my conclusion: I love the Nick Swisher trade. While Swisher certainly has his flaws, he’s worth the risk. Let’s face it: he won’t hit for average and he won’t hit for major power. But he’s a good on-base guy (career .354 OBP), he can play both 1B and the OF, he’s relatively inexpensive and he is a grinder. He’s the kind of offensive spark plug the Yankees need, a guy who may be able to breathe life into an offense that was lifeless last year. Swisher has always been regarded as an energetic clubhouse presence, a good replacement for the soon to be departed Jason Giambi. Let’s put it this way, the eternally pessimistic Keith Law of ESPN (who hates absolutely everything and everyone) had good things to say about the Yankees end of the deal:
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christo
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