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Nick Swisher Trade Reactions

By Tim Dierkes [November 14, 2008 at 5:00am CST]

The Yankees acquired Nick Swisher yesterday for Wilson Betemit, Jhonny Nunez, and Jeff Marquez. The reactions are clearly in favor of the Yanks; let's take a look.

ESPN's Keith Law says Swisher has upside for the Yankees at a reasonable price. He is unimpressed with Chicago's return, though mildly intrigued by the idea of the Sox teaching Marquez a cutter.
Peter Abraham notes that the Yankees see Swisher as their regular first baseman, and Mark Teixeira loses leverage. MLB.com's Lyle Spencer figures the Angels are thrilled by the trade, as they may not have to compete with the Yanks for Tex.
Ken Davidoff loves the move for the Yankees, and believes it gives them even more cash to throw at C.C. Sabathia.
South Side Sox gives us an inside look at the trade negotiations between Brian Cashman and Ken Williams. They really don't get the move.
Williams would not commit to keeping the rest of the lineup intact.
Ken Rosenthal believes the Swisher trade is a prelude to something bigger.
Sox Machine says the White Sox must be banking on Swisher failing to right himself.
Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald wonders if Swisher can handle the New York media.
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo looks at the prospects involved in the trade.

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Comments

Nick Swisher has upside but first of all trading a journeyman utlility man in Wilson Betamit and 2 "ok" pitching prospects with no real future expectations seems like way too little, but at the same time the fact that the yankees of all teams are expecting to use him as an everyday first baseman is ridiculous, Swisher had 558 AB last year and only showed that he couldn't adjust to different pitchers by only batting .219, Swisher showed something to like in Oakland but when given the chance in Chicago made you forget all of that. But regardless of all of this I still believe Chicago got robbed and don't exactly understand why they pulled the plug so quickly when if they held out could've gotten a lot more in quality over Wilson Betimit.

Posted by: Wolverine | November 14, 2008 at 05:21 AM

i would stick him in the OF and still go for tex. im not sold on nady yet, he didnt play very well for the mets back in the day so my jury is still out on him. and i would make a push for kerry wood in the pen. would look good in either new york pen.

Posted by: pvilly131 | November 14, 2008 at 06:54 AM

the only thing that suprises me is the White Sox pulled the trigger on this deal before Teixeira was off the table.

Once he is signed with a team, someone was going to be without a 1st baseman so he might have had some increase in value.

Regardless, I do understand the move.

Between Konerko/Thome/Swisher, the White Sox had 3 guys for 1B/DH, because I will not call Swisher a CF.

IF the White Sox held onto Swisher this season and he did poorly (in CF again) it would be a tough sell next offseason to unload the $10million he is owed in 2010, along with trying to convice someone he can move back to 1st.

Obviously 1st is one of the easier positions to field, but 2 years looking like a clumsy bum in CF probably wasn't going to be beneficial.

In the end, if Kenny Williams left the last GM meetings feeling like there was virtually no interest in Swisher, then you have to call this a good move to dump him before he got stuck with him.

Still, I find it odd he moved him before Teixiera landed someplace.

Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | November 14, 2008 at 06:57 AM

Pvilly..
Wood would be a good pick up for the Mets, the Yanks pen is the least of their worries. They have plenty of arms int he pen, their money is going to be spent elsewhere.
As for Nady, he played a total of 75 games for the Mets, you are going to ignore the rest of his career and focus on 75 games?
When we we learn that we don't need a superstar at EVERY position? Nady is exactly the type of player we need.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | November 14, 2008 at 07:06 AM

hahha, the South Side Sox inside look is pretty good.

Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | November 14, 2008 at 07:07 AM

yankee girl...
the only place nady has succeded is in pitt

Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
2000 21 SDP NL 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 1.000 1.000 428 1 0 0 0 0 0
2003 24 SDP NL 110 371 50 99 17 1 9 39 6 2 24 74 .267 .321 .391 92 145 2 1 0 6 14
2004 25 SDP NL 34 77 7 19 4 0 3 9 0 0 5 13 .247 .301 .416 92 32 1 0 0 1 4
2005 26 SDP NL 124 326 40 85 15 2 13 43 2 1 22 67 .261 .321 .439 104 143 1 0 1 7 5
2006 27 TOT NL 130 468 57 131 28 1 17 63 3 3 30 85 .280 .337 .453 102 212 2 1 7 11 12
NYM NL 75 265 37 70 15 1 14 40 2 1 19 51 .264 .326 .487 107 129 1 1 4 6 7
PIT NL 55 203 20 61 13 0 3 23 1 2 11 34 .300 .352 .409 97 83 1 0 3 5 5
2007 28 PIT NL 125 431 55 120 23 1 20 72 3 1 23 101 .278 .330 .476 107 205 0 4 2 12 16
2008 29 TOT 148 555 76 169 37 1 25 97 2 1 39 103 .305 .357 .510 128 283 0 4 2 9 14
PIT NL 89 327 50 108 26 1 13 57 1 0 25 55 .330 .383 .535 144 175 0 3 1 5 9
NYY AL 59 228 26 61 11 0 12 40 1 1 14 48 .268 .320 .474 105 108 0 1 1 4 5
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
7 Seasons 672 2229 286 624 124 6 87 323 16 8 143 443 .280 .335 .458 108 1021 6 10 12 46 65
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
162 Game Avg 537 69 150 30 1 21 78 4 2 34 107 .280 .335 .458 108 246 1 2 3 11 16
Career High 148 555 76 169 37 2 25 97 6 3 39 103 .305 .357 .510 128 283 2 4 7 12 16

Posted by: pvilly131 | November 14, 2008 at 07:36 AM

I know the stats...I use baseball reference too LOL

Nothing wrong with his 162 game career avg. Like I said, dont need a superstar everywhere. I'd like to see him in NY for a full year before I make judgement.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | November 14, 2008 at 07:41 AM

Considering their track record, I find it hard to imagine that the Yankees see Swisher as their regular first baseman, but I'd love it. If Teixeira lands back in LA or, hope of all hopes, in Boston, I'll be pleased. As long as he doesn't end up in NY or Baltimore, I'm cool.

Posted by: 0bsessions | November 14, 2008 at 07:52 AM

yankees pen consist of:
rivera - god
marte- effective when rested
edwar ramierez- hit harder than anyone, rattled very easily
veras- good young arm
bruney- good when healthy
olendorff- 6.50 era
giese- a better starter
coke- unproven, good stuff

if rivera gets hurt who are you sticking in the closer role if joba is starting?? wood is a good fit cant go wrong if theyre gonna give marte 12m over 3 give kerry 15-18 for 2-3 years

Posted by: pvilly131 | November 14, 2008 at 07:54 AM

Ohlendorf hasnt been a Yankee since mid last season, so his ERA is of no concern of mine.

The Yanks also have Sanchez, Robertson and Aceves, not to mention Melancon in the minors.

Their pen was one of their strengths last season, no need to spend any more money there.

If Mo gets hurt someone else will have to step up depending on how they are doing at the time. You don't go get a second closer "just in case".

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | November 14, 2008 at 07:59 AM

Oh, I forgot Albaladejo, who looked very good at the beginning of last season before getting hurt.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | November 14, 2008 at 08:01 AM

To simplify this Nick Swisher deal....

My basis for comparison is Eric Hinske.

Hinske is a versatile fielder who was once the ROY.

Last season in far fewer at bats then Swisher, Hinske hit 20HR's with a .243 AVG

Point here is; Hinske won the ROY not all that long ago and last season made $800K as a part time player for the Rays.

Defensively, Hinske can play CI and Corner OF.

The biggest difference is Swisher has a slightly higher career OBP, but Hinske has the higher career AVG.

Does Hinske have the name recognition anymore...No. My guess is in a few years, the league will see Swisher just like Hinske.

If I am any team other then the deep pocketed Yankees, I'd prefer to sign Hinske for $1million next season before locking into 2 years of Swisher for $15+ million.

Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | November 14, 2008 at 08:05 AM

"yankees pen consist of:
rivera - god
marte- effective when rested
edwar ramierez- hit harder than anyone, rattled very easily
veras- good young arm
bruney- good when healthy
olendorff- 6.50 era"

Pvilly... Ohlendorf was traded...

Posted by: Russell | November 14, 2008 at 08:06 AM

sorry Hinske hit .247 not .243 last year.

Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | November 14, 2008 at 08:07 AM

"If I am any team other then the deep pocketed Yankees, I'd prefer to sign Hinske for $1million next season before locking into 2 years of Swisher for $15+ million."

There is a lot of stretching here trying to make this Swisher deal sound bad for the Yankees.

The Yankees gave up NOTHING valuable to get this guy. He is athletic, has good character, switch hitter, and walks. His average is down but so was Giambi's but very little complained when he was walking and hitting homers.

I love this move on so many levels. We don't have to sign Tex and everyone already knows the Yanks don't plan on playing Posada as regularly. So now we can have Posada in the lineup every day and Swisher is there in the wings as a versatile player who will get some playing time. Plus he's friends with CC. You're going to have a very hard time convincing people this was a bad move. I'll take him over Tex if just for sheer money that we can allocate to pitching.

Posted by: Russell | November 14, 2008 at 08:09 AM

Well said Russell, I love Tex, but everything you said makes sense.

This is never going to be a bad move for the Yanks. It will either turn out to be a good move or a "non move". If he doesnt work out, nothing lost.

Posted by: yankeegirl49 | November 14, 2008 at 08:19 AM

Good trade for the Yanks. I think the White Sox GM is a Yankees fan! Betemit is brutal!

Posted by: Big Mac | November 14, 2008 at 08:21 AM

Russell,

Not trying to stretch the deal to make it look bad, but if you are one of the other 29 teams in baseball, $15 million for Swisher is relatively prohibitive given his last few years of production.

My point was Hinske use to be considered a good player like Swisher, but after injuries and several down years after his R.O.Y he lost value.

Swisher could easily be headed down that path if you look at his numbers.

The Yanks gave up nothing at all, so obviously its a no brainer, but my point was that for the other 29(okay maybe 25 or so teams minus the Red Sox, Angels, Mets etc.) you would be just as good with Hinske at 1st as you would be with Swisher given the difference in paychecks.

Swisher isn't paid a lot, but based on production there are certainly viable options out there who provide similar versatility that cost even less.

But again, good move for the Yanks, as I don't see the cost of Swisher deterring them from going bonkers on spending for pitching.

Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | November 14, 2008 at 08:21 AM

"you would be just as good with Hinske at 1st as you would be with Swisher given the difference in paychecks."

I didn't like Hinske when he was on the Red Sox and didn't like him when he was on Tampa. I think Swisher is a bit more athletic and that him being good friends with CC made him more valuable to the Yankees than Hinske.

Posted by: Russell | November 14, 2008 at 08:26 AM

15 million is relatively prohibitive given his last few years of production? You do realize that Swisher posted back to back 125+ OPS+ in 2006 and 2007 right? Hinske has been below league average since his rookie year. Hinske is just not nearly the player Swisher.

Posted by: nixa37 | November 14, 2008 at 08:43 AM

Hinske is as underrated as they get out there, so I think comparing that to Swisher is a bit wrong. You aren't going to find guys like that very often for 800k.

Posted by: CubbyFan23 | November 14, 2008 at 08:44 AM

JC did a quick write up.

http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2008/11/breaking-down-the-swisher-deal/

Posted by: jfish26101 | November 14, 2008 at 09:18 AM

ok, so clearly there are too many literal translations here.

Point was, if you are a mid-market team and you could sign Hinske for $1million and a quality Relief Pitcher as a Free Agent, would you be better off then having just Nick Swisher?

In my opinion yes.

I am not comparing Hinske to Swisher and saying because one is cheaper he is better, I am saying that if you are mid-market team the additional money difference would allow you to acquire an extra piece for your team as well.

The question is irrelevant since the Yankees aren't a mid-market team but I was merely trying to point out that not too many other teams were likely to covet Swisher as a helpful addition given the alternative of having lower production at 1B but more payroll flexibility to improve the team elsewhere.

Posted by: KangarooBoxer26 | November 14, 2008 at 09:39 AM

Here are Swisher's avg stats over the last 3 years prior to 08 (05, 06 and 07).

85 runs
31 doubles
26 hrs
82 rbis
84 walks
.358 obp
.251 batavg

Ife he becomes our starting 1B and can return to form when he was in Oakland and plays good defense at 1B and is a good charachter guy for them then I can live with that. I think the Yanks club house is wrapped too tight anyway. As long as he stays away from the hookers and strippers and plays hard on the field then everything else will be cool.

Obviously Tex would be better and if his price settles down to the 6 year/$120-$130 range then the Yanks might bight. If that happens then we have another option in OF going into 2010 when we face losing Matsui, Damon and Nady.

I also assume this seals it for Abreu to sign elsewhere. Cool...two pics for us.

Evaluate this trade on two levels.

-What we gave up vs what we received.

-We added a player that gives us flexibility and leverage w/ or w/o signing Tex. I'm sure Boras hates this move.

I've said, along with many others, that the Yanks did not need a superstar at every position. But if Swish can hit .260/.380/.470 w/ 25 hrs and 80 rbis then he's done what we need him to do, especially if he does it at 1B while playing good defense.

The X factors are my main concern. Can he handle NY pressure? I think he'll be ok because we've more than likely seen the worst of him. No "realistic" Yankee fan can or should expect him to come in and transform into a .290, 35 hr and 100 rbi guy.

On a positive he's still very young and maybe the coaches can help him cut down on his swing/strike outs. Being in THAT Yankee lineup can help him become a better hitter.

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 14, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Yanks might bite.

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 14, 2008 at 10:02 AM

Swisher sucked this season because Chicago screwed him up. They had him batting leadoff to start the season. And that pretty much messed him up for the whole season.

Swisher is a switch hitter who is going to turn 28 in a couple weeks. He has more upside then what the Yankees gave up. Hell I wish the O's would have tried for Swisher if thats the type of players they wanted in return.

Posted by: XD23 | November 14, 2008 at 10:08 AM

I've always liked Nick Swisher for some reason from when he was on Oakland and I think this was a good pickup for the Yankees. Swisher gives them good versatility to play either first base or center field if needed. Cashman took the right route here by giving up few things of worth.

Now with Swisher, I don't think he will continue his downtrend from last year but this was a decent risk-taking move by the Yankees. If he could get his OBP back up to the .365-.380 range and hit around 30 home runs next year then I think this will be a bargain trade, especially considering the $20 million per year that Teixeira is looking for and the fact that very few good first basemen are up for free agency this year.

Posted by: MattyMets | November 14, 2008 at 10:31 AM

I would not be surprised if KDubb signs a big name hitter that no one thought he was considering (Man-Ny, Tex).

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 14, 2008 at 10:50 AM

I like the fact that in his last two big trades (Nady, Swish) that he's picked up players under 30. Except for Tabata we haven't given up a prospect that we're going to miss.

Also, what's good about this deal is that if the Yanks don't sign Tex this year we can make a run at Adam LoRoche who's a free agent in 2010. If we sign him we can have Swish slide to LF and replace Damon when Damon walks as a free agent.

Posted by: YanksFanSince78 | November 14, 2008 at 10:53 AM

Everyone says some of KW's trades are dumb and lacks logic but this one is legitimately dumb

Posted by: I Like Baseball | November 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM

"give kerry 15-18 for 2-3 years"

Umm...he will get a whole lot more than 5 to 6 mil a year.

Swisher hit .219/.332 last year in an awful year.

However, you have to think, if his OBP was still .332 and he only hit .219, whats it going to look like when he hits .260? This is a classic case of buying low, and Cashman did a great job IMHO. It completely defies logic that he went to an extreme hitters park and did that poorly...but I think its much safer to consider it an exception to the rule, not bank on it and base his value on it when he was doing much, much better in Oakland.

My guess is he goes .265/.380 next year...and for what the Yanks gave up...this is a steal.

KW trades never make sense...but many of them somehow end up great. Its weird. Maybe he will pull another rabbit out of the hat...but I still don't get it right now.

Posted by: Aduncaroo | November 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM

"Everyone says some of KW's trades are dumb and lacks logic but this one is legitimately dumb"

Pretty much. Alot of people fall on opposite extreme ends of the spectrum with KW. Some say he is a big idiot, while alot of south side fans worship him for some reason.

The truth is that he's more in between and is about average. He makes some smart moves, like picking up Quentin, and he makes some dumb moves, like this one and Podsednik.

As far as this trade goes, KW gave up on Swisher way too soon, although he should have never brought him in to begin with. Swisher is not a CF, so the Sox trying to play him there was laughable.

Having said that, his bat was perfectly fine last year. He just got unlucky. Has his BABIP been where it should have been, you're looking at a guy who should have put up a .830-.850 OPS. He simply got unlucky.

Posted by: Slayer | November 14, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Yankees need to sign Mart T. Are lineup would be nothing.

1.Damon
2.Jeter
3.A-rod
4.Matsui
5.Nady
6.Swisher
7.Cano
8.Posada
9.Gardner

A-rod will have bad numbers because they will pitch around him because there will be no one to back him up.

Posted by: yanks12025 | November 14, 2008 at 01:10 PM

Slayer -- which Podsednik transaction are you speaking of that was dumb?

Posted by: I Like Baseball | November 16, 2008 at 10:58 PM

"at the same time the fact that the yankees of all teams are expecting to use him as an everyday first baseman is ridiculous, Swisher had 558 AB last year and only showed that he couldn't adjust to different pitchers by only batting .219, Swisher showed something to like in Oakland but when given the chance in Chicago made you forget all of that."

1) Swisher is an excellent defensive 1B and has the left-handed advantage. Also, he has the bat to play there.
2) Swisher was terribly unlucky this year with his BABIP. His career BABIP is .275 and was .301 (lgavg) in 2008. He still crushed the balls he got for hits (over 40% XBH) and walked a ton.

The Yankees made the right move.

Posted by: AA | November 24, 2008 at 12:50 AM

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