Texeira and Swisher to Yankees
That would be KANEKOA Texeira, not MARK TEIXEIRA.
The Chicago White Sox dumped Nick Swisher and young righty Texeira on the Yankees in return for utilityman Wilson Betemit and prospects Jeffrey Marquez and Jhonny Nunez.
Very strange deal from the Yankees’ POV, and in my estimation they overpaid.
In Swisher, the Yankees get a left-handed hitting corner outfielder and first baseman, to add to their deep stash of lefthanded-hitting corner outfielders. Though they are looking for a centerfielder, and Swisher plays the position, it’s doubtful he’s their ideal choice there. Why they were so hot to trade away top prospects and a very serviceable bench guy in Betemit, is a little puzzling. I suppose they see Swisher as a more athletic version of Jason Giambi. And it makes sense in a market devoid of any decent first basemen after Teixeira.
For those who aren’t aware, Marquez is a pretty strong prospect. He struggled in his transition from AA to AAA, but before 2008 was ahead of, and better ranked, than either Bobby Parnell or Jon Niese are now. Methinks Ken Williams did well in stealing Marquez as part of the package. Nunez is no slouch either — he is exactly the type of sinker-slider guy Williams has been seeking. He could move quickly and find himself in the White Sox pen before the end of next season.
So much for Swisher going to Flushing. I doubt Mets fans would have been happy to see a package of Bobby Parnell, Eddie Kunz, and, say, Endy Chavez (for lack of a better comp) going to Chicago for him.
Expect to see the Yankees trade Hideki Matsui to Seattle now, as he has become redundant. Maybe Johnny Damon goes too.
About the Author
A Mets fan since birth, Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Oh, and he's often a bit cranky.
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I wonder if adding Swisher is symbolic of the Yankees waving the white flag on Mark Teixeira. All signs point to Cashman going hard (i.e. spending a boatload of money) on CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, so perhaps they’re settling for a less expensive commodity at 1B in Swisher. Matsui, Damon, and Nady round out the OF, which is putrid defensively but dynamic (when healthy) on offense. I haven’t heard any Matsui-to-Seattle rumors, Joe, but that doesn’t mean they’re not credible. Perhaps they go after Raul Ibanez, then. Or *gulp* Manny Ramirez?
FYI: Swisher is a switch-hitter.
‘dude I think that observation is completely on target. And after sleeping on it, gambling on a Swisher rebound makes a lot of sense for the Yankees. He’ll have a ball in that lineup ….. look what having A-Rod, etc., did to rejuvenate Bobby Abreu’s career.
With a potential first baseman under wraps, I agree — Cashman will go after CC and Burnett — and Sheets as well — with the goal of signing at least TWO top hurlers.
Tim Brown was buzzing about Matsui to Seattle last week:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-gmmeetings110508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns