This better not be how the Yankees think they can fill the holes at first base and center field.
New York has acquired CF/1B Nick Swisher in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. In exchange, the Yankees are shipping out infielder Wilson Betemit along with minor-league pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez to the Windy City. The Yanks also got minor league pitcher Kanekoa Texeira in the deal.
Swisher is Giambi-Lite—a power hitter who can't get a single to save his life. The 27-year old hit just .219 with 24 homers and 69 RBI in 153 games last year and is only a .244 lifetime hitter. His .219 mark in 2008 was the worst batting average among players with at least 502 plate appearances, the number needed to qualify for the batting title.
Marquez, 23, is a promising young righty who went 16-10 with a sub 3.00 ERA over the past two seasons at AA Trenton. He was 6-7 with a 4.69 ERA during his first stint at AAA in 2008.
Why make this move? To replace Wilson Betemit? The Yankees better not be banking on Swisher starting in 2009—this isn't a very good fall-back plan in case New York can't acquire free agent Mark Teixeira to play first base.
The Yankees could've just held onto their pitching prospect and had Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera hit .219 for them in center next year.
I don't mind trading away good minor leaguers for big time talent like Jake Peavy or Johan Santana, but why waste a guy on a nothing move like this?
Jordan Schwartz is Bleacher Report's New York Yankees Community Leader. His book "Memoirs of the Unaccomplished Man" is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and authorhouse.com. Jordan can be reached at jordanschwartz2003@yahoo.com
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about 1 month ago
I have no love for Betemit, but your right, to give away so much for what really is another utility fielder seems excessive. If you consider the Mike Cameron idea, you really start to wonder WTF Cashman. Is this what you stayed for?
To go give away young potential for mediocre lifelong baseball talent. Im starting to get nervous. Melky bats as well as Cameron, Gardner will get there, why bother. If it was straight across, I wouldnt mind, but giving up prospects for a guy that definitely will not be an every day player seems risky.
I hope they dont expect Swisher to fill any every day roles. He can play all over, so a nice backup who will see a lot of field time, but still not worth what was given.
from about 1 month ago
Melky bats as well as Cameron? In what universe? That's a horrible comparison.
Cameron consistently hits over 20 homers a year, while Melky's career high is 8. Cameron's a speed threat, too, stealing over 15 in each of the last 12 seasons (except one injury-shortened affair, in which he stole 13 in just 72 games). Melky's stolen as many as 13 only once. Cameron's career OBP is 11 points higher than Melky's, and in 2008, it was 30 points higher.
from about 1 month ago
I was saying more in comparison to the fact that he can bat 250 also. HRs are nice but not at the expense of average in my opinion. If that is what we want then keep Giambi. It just seems silly to trade Melky and whoever it would take to get Cameron, who has proven what he will do with a career in baseball. We are still learning on the fly with Leche. So he had a down year, is that worth upgrading payroll and getting essentially a like player? I say no. Melky can improve, Cameron will not. As for speed, Melky wouldnt play center if he was slow, I blame his lack of stolen bases on management not capability. I think keeping a kid who is generally comparable at teh league minimum as opposed to trading him for a guy who will cost personell and money is foolish, I dont care what the numbers are. Lest we forget Gardner. He has potential too. He didnt see consistant plate time, and from what Ive read, he is a slow starter but once comfortable a great batter and speed threat. Again Cameron, seriously, really is it necessary? I say no. Sorry we dont agree, and my comment didnt make sense, but I stand by it.
from about 1 month ago
Melky's career average is higher than Swisher's, but Swisher's career OBP is higher. The guy gets on base more often, and he hits for a lot more power.
I'd trade Melky for Cameron any day. They have the same batting average, but Cameron hits for much more power, and steals more bases. That said, who ever said the Yankees were dealing Melky for Cameron? I'd love to see it, but where did it come from?
You can't call Melky and Cameron "like players." They have the same batting average, but that's it. They're totally different.
And Melky probably steals fewer bases because he rarely gets on base.
from about 1 month ago
Ok, the original news I read on attaining Cameron included Melky as the main peice that included more than just him that we would offer, about two to three weeks ago. For the record that deal for the most part is not even being discussed anymore. The Brewers are assessing where they will stand on pitching before even considering parting with Cameron. Thank god from where Im sitting.
I was using as a conversation peice referencing the uneccesary moves being made or considered. There are needs, but this one doesnt fit for me. It costs too much for a short term reward. If my assumption is right based on what is predicted, we will have A. Jackson up in center by the end of next year or early the following year. How bad do we need a CF when if we can stay healthy we can make up for some weaknesses as far as batting at that position for now and allow for homegrown player development. I am very high on Brett Gardner, I think we have just scratched the suface, he reminds me of Pedroia in many ways. Pedroia was a slow starter too by the way.
It is obvious you want to talk numbers where as I am more interested in "the youth movement" we have been getting spoon fed and just so happen to agree with. I believe we are arguing two different points. There is a lot more to it than OBP and HRs in my opinion. There are contracts, and cost of personnel.
Is there even a need? I say no. Cameron may hit more HRs, so does Giambi so what, we have pop in our lineup, I dont need a 250 career hitter to hit me 25 hrs a year, we are about to be rid of a guy who does that and then some. He may steal more bases, so does Gardner whom we own and can develop. From what coaches say at every minor league level, Gardner is a slow starter who given a proper amount of consistant at bats will do quite well, and the speed is phenomenal.
The numbers may be better than what we have today, does that make it worth throwing away a young kid like Melky to get him for a year or two? Another overpriced player, with baggage to boot. I think in my world it is a no brainer.
As for Swisher, he cost too much. Betemit, and one mediocre minor leaguer for Swisher and one mediocre minor leaguer would have fit much more. We gave away a promising young pitcher in Marquez, for a guy who didnt bat 230 last year. What about Ransom as a substitute utility fielder? He had a nice end to the year. The pitcher we got sounds promising though. I dont mind this move so much if we keep him in the utility role. If he is to play everyday, all my other points stand. He does have an upside though, he has played better in the past.
Sorry to keep this going bro, all I want to say in the end is this. We have some glaring needs, that need glaring answers. I like Swisher, I think he will make a nice fit. Its not the move we needed to make to fill up first though. We have more than enough corner outfielders, he will not play center according to Cash.
As for Cameron, I say why bother. There are better options, that would cost less, in personell and cash. I expect some more stats to come my way and youve got me on the HRs and SBs, but my point stands, Cameron doesnt constitute getting younger, trading youth to get him is like shooting that idea directly in the foot. Its not a sound goal as he cannot be part of a core team that we need to move forward as a whole. He might help for one year but then what? Square one, and by then if my hunch is right, Leche will have found his groove. If were going to trade some kids away for an outfielder, I want Magglio Ordonez. That would be worth moving some prospects and dumping some money.
about 1 month ago
Im a white sox fan Swisher will do great for the yankees! he had a down year for the sox and he should rebound great for the yanks
about 1 month ago
Why Swisher? Is my question for Cashman.
Really, even if you don't land Tex you can just put Cody Ransom there and he'll do as well or better than Swisher will do at first. Really, I don't think Cashman understands that name recognition of players doesn't earn a championship.
The Yankees need a more balanced team right now, not just hit or miss power with average pitching. They need to go get pitchers and develop some of these speedy young guys.
about 1 month ago
I will admit--I've always liked Swisher, but I was definitely baffled as to why they would trade for him. Again, they can't try to patch the problem at first base and if they try and put a guy who is a natural outfielder even though he likes to play first base at first the Yankees are gonna be in the same hole they're always in at that position. Cashman needs to be aggressive and go after Teixeira. Sure, he is saying that getting Swisher is a good back up in case it doesn't work out, but the Yankees have the money for both Sabathia and Tex and they have to stop acting like they are pursuing all these other options. I'm not sad to see Wilson Betemit go, but I agree with TJ I'd rather see Cody Ransom as the back up first baseman or utility guy than this. Ransom has some pop in his swing too so it's not like he can't swing the bat and if given the opportunity I think he has a ton of potential. It's time to stop playing around with these insignificant trades and go after the big guns and the big gun for first base is named Mark Teixeira.
about 1 month ago
With all due respect to my fellow Yankees fans, can we take a chill pill? Let's wait for the plan to unfold a little. You don't judge a painting on the first paint stroke.
I'm not saying it's the same level of trade or it will pay dividends as handsomely, but when Brosius was traded to the Yanks, we was batting a paltry .203.
Free agency is barely a few hours old!
Front office gets bombed for 'only signing big names' and they get bombed for 'insignificant trades' can't have it both ways, ladies and gents. No offense to anyone intended.
from about 1 month ago
I don't mind signing big names if they're not old and washed up. As for this trade, it just seems like a waste and I hope it's not a sign of things to come during the free agency signing period. But if they can get Teixeira, I'll forget all about it.
about 1 month ago
The only reason I can see why the Yankees made this trade is so they can lose Abreu's contract and throw more money at Tex and C.C. There is no other reason to bring Swisher in. He isn't as good as Abreu, not even close, but at least he won't make $15 mil next year. That's my two cents.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah it looks like they're not bringing Abreu back which is a huge mistake. He was the most consistent hitter on the team in 2008 and letting him go just makes their already weak outfield that much weaker. I don't get it.
about 1 month ago
"The Yankees could've just held onto their pitching prospect and had Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera hit .219 for them in center next year."
Swisher's batting average is weak, but he hit 25 home runs last year, compared to Melky's 8. I'd prefer Swisher out there over Melky any day. Plus, he had one down year, and is only two seasons removed from a 35/95 campaign. I'm not saying he'll ever hit like that again, but he's got potential.
There's no way Swisher is filling Giambi's shoes. No reason for it, and the Yankees aren't giving up on Teixiera before free agency even begins.
Swisher may end up in center field, which is less than ideal, but still an upgrade. More likely, he becomes the first bat off the bench. He's a switch hitter, has plenty of power, and can play first base and the outfield. He'll see plenty of at-bats off the bench, and is a better option than Betemit. That's probably why the Yankees got him.
I also wrote an article about the trade:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/81518-nick-swisher-from-chicago-white-sox-to-new-york-yankees
from about 1 month ago
Cashman has already stated he will not see much time in center. He is figured to play every day first base and play the corner outfield positions as a back up where Cash feels he is a superior fielder, and called him average in center. Who knows though, it is November 14th right. Alot will change over the next month, much less the rest of the offseason. I want to clarify something from earlier. I dont necessarily think Melky can match Camerons HR output, or OBP. I just think between him and Gardner one of them will show up and play well due to the competition for the job. Cameron is a life long .250 batter, home runs or not, Ill take a kid at a discount who may approach those numbers in his career. Leche has only been around for what three years at best. Save that money for pitching or Tex I say. Camerons price tag is too high considering what we would really be getting. Id rather keep Abreu for the money. He has more tools.
about 1 month ago
If any of you read the Post this morning and if the reporter got it right, Cashman has indicated that he has no plans to lay out long term contracts this off season like he did last year to sign A-Rod, Mo and Posada. If Cash was quoted right, he seemed to indicate that if they got Sabathia they would not spend the necessary money for Teixeira.
about 1 month ago
I agree with you, I said before Swisher has power but struggles with his batting average and strikes out a lot, we don't need a guy like that, we need a guy who can hit the ball, a .290 player, trading a good minor league player as Betemit for Swisher is a bad bad move.
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