12/18/24
November 13, 2008
Yankees Acquire Nick Swisher from White Sox: The New York Yankees have begun the off-season swap meet by acquiring Chicago White Sox first baseman Nick Swisher and minor league pitcher Kanekoa Texeira for utility infielder Wilson Betemit and minor league pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. Swisher, 27, hit .219 with 24 homers last season. Marquez is a top pitching prospect who had a 4.47 ERA in 19 starts in Triple-A and Double-A.
That said, Texeira could be the guy to take over after Mariano. He's got a wicked arm.
posted by dfleming at 07:48 PM on November 13, 2008
I know "internet speak" is not appreciated on this site, but only one thing comes to mind: B-F-D! The Yankees used to trade for and give contracts to OLD washed-up players, now they're going for YOUNG washed-up players. I don't see how this improves their real problem, pitching. They need someone who can pitch next season in the majors. Come on Yankee management, it's so blatantly obvious to everyone else in the world, no matter how much power you have at every position, you can't win without pitching. So when the Yankees make a deal with Sabathia or trade for someone else who is a proven talent, let me know.
posted by docshredder at 08:29 PM on November 13, 2008
At first, I thought you were referring to Mark Texeira to take over for Mariano. With this trade, it wouldn't have surprised me.
posted by jmd82 at 11:23 PM on November 13, 2008
Here is an organization that is starved for young pitching in their minor league system, yet they are trading away a well-regarded prospect for very little return. I know nothing about Kanekoa Texeira, so he might be what they are really after. True enough that Swisher can hit for power, but he is not a contact hitter, as his on-base percentage shows. The only thing that I can conclude is that the Yankees are hedging a bet. That is, they are going to go after the top starters on the free agent market, and not necessarily going to go after hitting in the person of Mark Texeira.
posted by Howard_T at 01:27 PM on November 14, 2008
Yeah, the Yanks went with that "young arm" plan last year with Hughes and Kennedy, sticking with them instead of letting those two (and others) go for Johan Santana. That worked out well. I'm pretty sure that if they envisioned Texeira as the next Mariano Rivera they wouldn't have made the deal. As for Swisher, he started last season horribly, then came on in the second half. He also seems like a guy who other players on teams he plays for like a lot. And I've always thought Betemit absolutely sucks. I'll take my chances with Swisher. He may strike out a lot, but I'm betting on him improving quite a bit on the .219 thing.
posted by dyams at 05:39 PM on November 14, 2008
Of course the "they" I refer to above when talking about a team giving up a player capable of taking over for Mariano Rivera is the White Sox. Anyone looked upon to be that person will really have to have themselves together. I don't look forward to that day.
posted by dyams at 05:48 PM on November 14, 2008
Of course the "they" I refer to above when talking about a team giving up a player capable of taking over for Mariano Rivera is the White Sox. Anyone looked upon to be that person will really have to have themselves together. I don't look forward to that day.
I don't think anyone can really say a prospect is the *next* Mariano Rivera (that kind of consistency is so rare), but he's got the stuff to be a big-league closer, which they'll need in the next couple of years.
posted by dfleming at 02:38 PM on November 15, 2008
Yeah, barring a big-name signing to the closers role after Mariano finally hangs 'em up, I can see the Yanks going through numerous pitchers in an attempt to fill that role. It may sound ridiculous, but Yankee fans have taken Rivera for granted all these years, just assuming he'll be around from season to season. The fans love the guy, of course, but he can't go on forever.
posted by dyams at 10:48 AM on November 16, 2008
OK, granted I'm a bit of a Yankee hater, but they are trading for a guy who hit .219 last year, and another who had a 4.47 ERA in minor league ball? I'm reveling in this shit!
posted by Scottymac at 05:15 PM on November 16, 2008
OK, granted I'm a bit of a Yankee hater, but they are trading for a guy who hit .219 last year, and another who had a 4.47 ERA in minor league ball? I'm reveling in this shit!
That was who they traded. From the article:
The Yankees received Texeira, who was 6-3 last season with 21 saves and a 1.33 ERA in 51 relief appearances between Class A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham. Those numbers included 20 saves and a 0.93 ERA with Winston-Salem, and a scoreless-innings streak that hit 22 straight appearances.
posted by dfleming at 05:58 PM on November 16, 2008
The Yankees are willing to take on $21M in salary for someone who hit .219 and who strikes out a ton. I frigging love their business model.