A Trade!
Jon Heyman is reporting the Yankees have acquired Nick Swisher from the White Sox. The final trade is still being worked out, but it sounds like Wilson Betemit and Jeff Marquez are in the deal.
Swisher played all three outfield spots in Chicago last year and first. He is signed through 2011 with a club option for 2012 and is 27. The downside is Swisher hit .219 last year and had an OPS of .742. Bill James projects him next year at .240/.359/.451 which the Yankees would definitely take.
The interesting thing is what this will mean for the team. Swisher would be a nice bat off the bench and an occasional spot starter. If the plan is to put him in at first for 150 games or so, I am not as thrilled though I could come around to liking it. But, this move gives the Yankees some options.
UPDATE: The Yankees have announced the trade officially, Betemit, Marquez and Nunez (the guy they got from Washington for Gonzalez) for Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira. That also means they cleared a guy off their 40-man roster with this move.
Comments
Peter - if you look at Texeira's numbers (admittedly in the low minors) he looks like he might have some very good upside.
Swisher is just different version (enhanced) of Betemit, with more power and OF abilities.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 13, 2008 07:22 PM
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Good point Mitchell and another thing I learned tonight is that Nunez would have had to be protected on the 40-man while Texeira will not.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 13, 2008 08:50 PM
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They basically got the equivalent of the current day Giambi -- low average, excellent power, lots of walks -- who is younger, cheaper, and much better defensively. The ability to play outfield is an added bonus. This was a very good trade.
Posted by: Corey | November 14, 2008 01:37 PM |