Nick Swisher Traded To White Sox

if they traded both gio and DLS, KW got robbed. this is awful as a sox fan. just plain awful.

As an A's fan I feel like I just got blindsided by a truck. Had no idea this was coming and Swisher was the player I least expected to be dealt aside from Chavez.

I don't know anything about the 2 guys other than Gonzalez.... but this is a sad day for the A's. Swisher is incredibly hard working, and one of the most fun players to watch in the league IMO. Hope these guys are ballers b/c Swish had the pedigree, talent, and drive to make it big in the league.

Best wishes on your new squad Swish. You'll be missed out west.

As a fan of Nick Swisher, let me say this f*cking sucks.
My favorite player now playing for one of my least favorite teams...oy...anyway...

Beane wanted the farm for him and he pretty much got it. Good for both sides...Swisher should at least add some fun and excitement to that clubhouse.

Sad day for Oakland fans tho.

Sweet, where the hell did this trade come from? This wasn't on anyones radar screen was it Tim?

And how about Billy Beane, he is in full-scale fire sale mode isn't he? Man, talk about positioning a team for a run in 3-5 years. Tim, who else do you think will be moved? Think he'll move Blanton and Street too?

" Mets will trade for Blanton once they don't get Santana."

No, they wont.

It said that the Cubs had eyed Swisher but never made an offer. Aside from that there was nothin' in the mill about him. Big surprise to me.

This is a bad trade and I would be pissed if I were a wSox fan. I know nothing about these prospects, but if my team traded its two best for a slightly better than average guy like Swisher, I'd be scratching my head. I guess there's a lot to be said for having a young guy signed for a few years.

Tim, what is the status (health, contract) of Mark Kotsay? Would he be a possible trade target for the Braves as their stop-gap center fielder?

Does anyone have an account with either Baseball America or Scout.com or some site with access to a scouting report on the 3 minor leaguers? If you do and can post them on here I would appreciate the help. Thanks!

How about Crede to the Brewers for Chris Capuano or Dave Bush. Theyre primary need has to be starting pitching depth now. Unless Contreres, Danks, and Floyd all pitch well, the Sox have to make a trade. Or maybe sign an injury rehab guy.

Good thing they hung on to Contreras.

brian,

vazquez is one of the best pitchers in baseball.

u could do worse than buerhle and contreras.

i like this deal for both sides. swish brings good D, power and OBP at a WEEEELLLL below market price for 5 years. He's worth the 3 prospects.

Sweeney sucks. Gio is the only guy really worth anything.

This trade solidifies 3rd place for the White Sox in 2008. Great move...

You do this trade if you're in the NL Central, with a chance to win the division. Well, I probably wouldn't do it then, either.

nrmax: Good thing they hung on to Contreras. Funny stuff

"i agree about trading crede but IMP i think they should trade crede for orlando hudson .. no more worry about a leadoff man and way better defense then danny richar"

Yeah, then they can trade Contreras and Brian Anderson for Eric Bedard and Nick Markakis. Get the hell out of here.

The 2008 White Sox: the 2008 AL Central Astros.

Swisher is signed through 2011 with a club option for 2012. I think that Chavez stays in Oakland.

I'm glad we have Lance Broadway, he's a solid fallback. Haeger is still there, too. And even Masset, still has a good arm. We still have depth, just not like before.

I can't believe the A's traded a very cheap Swisher, but given the booty they got for him, I can understand.

What's not nailed down that Beane can still deal? Besides Blanton...?

Street?

bsox21:

I'm a SOX fan!!

I have no reason to support Beane and I usually don't. His buy low, sell high approach has never worked! No rings~!

BUT Sweeney is a good, I'd even say above average player. He has no major holes to his game. He was our number 6 ranked prospect. No, he definitely didn't pan out the way the Sox were hoping, but he's still a 22 y/o lefty who'll give you decent numbers and always play hard.

Hey A's fans and Tim, any thoughts as to whether this will lead to a drop in what Beane demands for Blanton as he just recieved two top end pitching prospects? Either way, what would they be looking for? Also, Tim, any chance of getting the needs and luxuries posts going again as things are still kind of slow and the holidays are over?

"That's a pretty solid contract. Too bad it probably won't matter :("

It matter no matter what.

Saw Swish pops in Chicago for 35 HRs again. Say he gives his normal solid defense. You don't think he can get a similar package in return for Swisher a year from now?

He will still have FOUR YEARS left on his contract for what is now considered pocket change in MLB.

This is a GREAT trade for chicago.

Make a run while ur paying JV and buerhle big bucks. If u bomb out, deal vazquez and buerhle who are both signed below market value and swisher as well.

Those 3 would take them from nothing to top 10 farm system in baseball in 1 shot.

Sweeney has no power and doesn't have the D for CF, I'd call those holes in his game

This is a horrible, awful trade for the White Sox. Swisher is a good player and affordable for the next 4-54 years. But this team has little current pitching and no future pitching. They have a good 1-2 in Buehrle and Vasquez and then an awful 3-4-5. And now there is no one ready to step in once 3-4-5 fall on their faces. Broadway? He projects as a #5 starter...maybe. Egbert is 2-3 years away with a questionable ceiling. Shelby and Poreda are both 3+ years away and they aren't exactly top prospects.

The good players in the lineup are aging rapidly, so this is a win-now move when the team has very little pitching. This trade is going to cripple the White Sox for the next 3+ years.

"Buehrle has a full NTC and isn't going anywhere, at least the fans would riot if he did."

Yeah, but he is saying if this doesnt work out and the Sox and up being crappy for another year or two, you can rebuild your whole system with Vazquez, Beurhle, and Swisher, then add in guys like Konerko, Dye, and Thome and they are in a position to rebuild if they start off really slow. If the Sox were not in contention it would upset you to bring in a big haul for Beurlhe? I know he is a fan fav, but what is the use of having him if the team isnt going to win whether he is there or not (not saying they wont win, but under this scenario they dont).

Egbert looks pretty close to being ready to me. A better then 4/1 K/BB in AA this year and better then a 1 K/BB ratio. He could be up this year, but if not then he should definitely be ready in 09.

By the way, the reason I ask about the cost of Blanton when the A's have to new stud prospects in the minors is that I would not be surprised to see the Braves as a "mystery team" trying to get Blanton. They apparently had interest in Haren. Other than that, I can think of 3 reasons to try to pick him up:

1. keep him from the Mets
2. they have room in the payroll (according to talkingchop.com)
3. see reason 1.

I hear that the A's need a ss. Does anybody think they might be interested in a package around Brent Lillibridge?

Dear KW:

Yes, I understand that Swisher is good but is Swisher THAT good that you'd deal two of your most valued PITCHING prospects? You can always get a corner OF, anywhere, anytime. Is Geoff Jenkins materially different than Swisher? Maybe, maybe not. The point is, with the COST of pitching skyrocketing, if Gio or DLS evolves into something even "Lohse-like", they'd be more valuable.

And I like Swisher, as a fan. But I can't see this helping the team more than two young pitching prospects who, according to the pros who evaluate such things, are pretty darned impressive.

just sayin'...

Andy, this is Joe Blanton, not Johan Santana. I would LOVE for the Braves to get Blanton if it means that he is no where Queens. Have him.

I don't like the Sox giving away the farm like this, but I do like Nick Swisher. You have to imagine that he could replace Dye, Thome or Konerko a few years down the road.

Also as others have commented, the Sox still have plenty of pitching prospects, which was and still is a strength of the system.

Poreda, Ebgert and Broadway take up the mantel of their top pitching prospects.

"Sweeney has no power and doesn't have the D for CF, I'd call those holes in his game"

Don't give me that BS Tim. I said MAJOR holes.

How many games have you even watched Sweeney play? No power? Juan Pierre has no power, Sweeney has 15-20 HR potential. He's hit as many as 13 in the minors. No, definitely not bragging just making a point.

I don't even know why I'm defending him, I wouldn't want him starting on the Sox next year. But there are much much worse options and he wasn't just some garbage throw-in.

"Sweeney has no power and doesn't have the D for CF, I'd call those holes in his game"

Don't give me that BS Tim. I said MAJOR holes.

How many games have you even watched Sweeney play? No power? Juan Pierre has no power, Sweeney has 15-20 HR potential. He's hit as many as 13 in the minors. No, definitely not bragging just making a point.

I don't even know why I'm defending him, I wouldn't want him starting on the Sox next year. But there are much much worse options and he wasn't just some garbage throw-in.

Nice for A's fans. It should still be an exciting year for you with all this ridiculous talent coming in.

Hopefully the Brewers will be dumb enough to take him off the A's hands for a couple of b-prospects and the a's not having to eat any of that contract.

The thought of Gomez evenstraight up for Fat Joe is enough to make me vomit. Heilman and Humber on top and I may have to be put on Suicide watch.

I'd say if you are the A's just sell it all. Ellis,Kotsay,Johnson,Blanton,Street,Embree,Crosby,Chavez, and anything that's over 26 and not nailed down. If they keep getting return like this they will be competitive this year!!

Awesome, now just move Chavez and the Reds can get Blanton for E5, Volquez, Maloney and Stubbs.

Simply awesome. One way or the other, you gotta love firesales! (When it's not your team that is).

I cant even fathom how awful Blanton would be pitching in GAB.

Why do you think he'd be that bad?

He should get some decent run support and the bullpen is going to be better.

It would give the Reds three guys who can give you 200 plus innings and Belisle should approach that.

Horrible trade for KW. Wow. Just terrible. Swisher is not THAT amazing to require this type of deal. Horrible day to be a White Sox fan. Sox didn't need anymore power hitters, we have enough in Thome, Konerko, Dye, Fields, and Crede if he doesn't get traded.

I just hate Blanton. I cant help it. Sorry I repeatedly bash the guy so much but it is mostly because the guy is connected so much to the Mets and I want nothing to do with him. Here is why...

People cite his innings pitched, which is nice, but I see an overweight guy that has logged close to 630 innings in the last 3 years.

I also hate his stuff. He has no zip on his fastball, and a pretty good curve. He has been pitching in Oakland, infront of a great defense in an outstanding park to pitch in.

Billy Beane is treating him like he is Santana.

I just think a lot of those flyballs that are caught in the huge (whatever the hell Oaklands stadium is called), would be homeruns in Cincinati. I just dont like the guy at all as a pitcher and want nothing to do with him. Not because he couldnt do good on the Mets, but because another guy can do just as good, probably even Colon or Livan could post similar era's to this guy in Shea. Livan will give the innings also. Not to mention his 1.52 whip from one year ago is still in plain vision for me.

I definitely get fired up over guys not staying in shape. That's all they have to do, and it's really just a lack of effort and discipline.

I think he'd get some boost by pitching in the NL, a la Arroyo. The ball carries ridiculously in GABP, but he's still better than what we have #3 right now. He's still pretty affordable too, isn't he?

I like other guys better, but I'd rather see him over the next couple of years than Volquez.

Trading E5 gives Keppinger an everyday spot too.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I like the trade for the White Sox. I highly doubt that Ryan Sweeney would be a top 10 prospect in ANY other farm system. The reason why Gonzalez and de los Santos are the top two prospects is because the White Sox may have the worst farm system in baseball. If you're making the case as a White Sox fan that they couldn't afford to trade that depth, I would make the same point that others have made in that you can easily trade Swisher for similar arms in another couple of years. Swisher, to me, in that park, is a switch hitting Matt Holliday. Him being under control for five more years will look like a bargain when Holliday comes up for FA soon.

bweav44- Nothing would make me happier to see the Reds or Cubs get Blanton instead of Bedard...comming from a Brewer Fans

Blanton is AWFUL away from his VERY pitcher friendly park... he pitched in the AL West which has some of the Biggest and Best Pitcher parks in Oakland, LAA, and Seattle... plus a very weak hitting team in the Rangers.

Blanton's away Era in 2007 is 5.12 in 17 Starts..

and his away ERA in 2006 is 5.10 in 16 Starts..

See the trend... why do you think guys like Mulder and Zito switch from the AL and go to the NL and do much worse?

Hudson's stats basically stayed the same... so because of that huge park you lose the AL to NL drop in ERA..and he is a fly ball pitcher in Cincy's park or in the Windy City with the wind blowing out... GOOD luck..

Kenny Williams is a bonehead. While Swisher is a decent player, he is not a difference maker. He doesn't steal bases, and the already slow White Sox will just get slower. On the other hand, they gave up 3 of their top 10 prospects for that guy. What a horrible GM. I'm glad he's not the GM for my team.

So does this spell the end for "Ozzy Ball"...lol.. I mean no more Pods, Erstadt, and no Sweeny.

I just still scratch my head at the John Garland trade..look at some of the offers that guys like Blanton are rumored to be getting... and I think Garland is a better pitcher than Blanton.

Craziness

If the Whitesox were going to try and get Figgens...wouldnt you think they would have gotten him when they made the Garland trade with LAA...

I mean most teams try to figure out package trades first unless you get a decent amount of prospects in a recent trade, and then you have some new Ammo. Which we know the Sox dont have... So again the price must have been way to much..and Paul Korenko would only fetch Figgens straight up.

bsox - I know you meant the Mulder deal, not Hudson. Eric Byrnes (and please don't mention what he has become while in the NL West in arguably the best hitting park) for Joe Kennedy/Jay Witasick. Joe Kennedy did great for Oakland until his last month or so with us. Witasick was eh. Chad Bradford for Jay Payton, look at Payton's numbers while he was an Athletic. Jason Kendall for Jerry Blevins. Ethier for Bradley/Perez. Bradley was a HUGE reason we made it in '06, A's got what they needed/were hoping for AND turned him into Andrew Brown last year. Maybe you should re-check Jose Guillen's numbers as an Athletic (specifically in the post-season)...Then you add the trades he made to help make the run in the early 2000's (let alone keep it going). The only two pitchers he truely, in hindsight, overpaid in trading are Bonderman and Harang. The Hudson deal was a huge bust, no doubt and like every other GM, he has made mistakes.

"Swisher-CF
Cabrera- SS
Dye- RF
Kroneko- 1b
Thome- DH
Fields-3rd
AJ- Catcher
Quentin- LF
Richter- 2nd"

thats sick for a team that everyone says has no chance.

the Central is berzerk.

Because at lead off a Strike out is just another out... Lead off OBP and some speed is very important.

If your leading off nobody is on ahead of you that you need to move over..so a Strike out wont hurt you.

Thome is a Run Producer you want him in a top Run Producer role along with Paul Kornerko.

I assume with Swisher playing 60 games in Center he has ok speed.

Swisher at the top spot in the order provides you with a very good 1 and 2 hitter with Cabraera behind him...setting the table for guys like Dye, Thome and Kornerko

I agree Cabrera's a prototypical #2 hitter, and he should hit there, but I'd trust him at leadoff sooner than Owens.

My reasoning for Swisher hitting #2 is those 100 walks and much better pitches to hit batting in front of Thome. Swisher hasn't the average or speed to hit #1.

Who knows. Maybe Kenny has another deal for a leafoff CF/2B up his sleeve...

Thanks for posting that same comment again, I appreciate it dearly.