Boooooo!
That was my response when the Yankees traded Wilson Betemit and minor league pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez to the Chicago White Sox for
Nick Swisher and right-handed pitcher Kanekoa Texeira.
The Bombers plan to play Swisher, who can also play all outfield positions, at first base.
"If the season started today, that's where he'd be," Cashman said.
And although Swisher can play first and the outfield, he doesn't exaclty play those positions well. Put it this way -- he won't have to clear space on his mantle for a Gold Glove Award anytime soon.
My brother "broke" the news through an e-mail while I was at work yesterday. Vinny from Kearny also chimed in and none of us liked or really understood the trade. Vinny said he sounds like another designated hitter. My brother said he sounds like a slimmer version of Jason Giambi.
Swisher's biggest attribute is that he walks a lot. Hey, that's great. But not when you bat .219 and hit only 24 homers as he did last season. He also strikes out a lot (135 times in 2008). It's not like he has Adam Dunn-like power. Hell, even Dunn hit .236 last year, and he blasted 40 home runs.
This probably takes Mark Teixeira off the Yankees wish list. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of giving Teixeira an Alex Rodriguez-like contract, but I would have accepted it. This seemed like a stop-gap move, until I read that Swisher's contract runs through 2011.
If you're looking for a silver lining, well, maybe this is it. Swisher is coming off an awful season, but posted better numbers during the two previous years in Oakland. Maybe 2008 was just an off year. Maybe.
I'm a little behind this trade so you could read a more comprehensive take on things from
Brian and
Rickhouse.
Speaking of late, I didn't comment on the Yankees re-signing
Damaso Marte to a three-year, $12 million deal earlier in the week. Shame on me. I was surprised when the Yanks didn't pick up Marte's $6 million option for 2009. I thought he did a decent job for the Yanks last season. When he was used correctly, that is.
Then they locked him up for three years.
I guess it's surprising move. It saves them money in the short-term and paying $4 million a year for a solid lefty reliever isn't a terrible decision.
Unlike another one.
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