Yanks acquire Swisher, potentially out on Tex?

by Allen Chace on Nov 13, 2008 5:54 PM EST in News Comment 41 comments

The Yankees have acquired Nick Swisher for a couple Wheaties coupons and a prize from a Cracker Jack box.

The domino effect? This could take the Yankees out of the running for Mark Teixeira. Consider the cast of characters that can/could/should? spend time at 1B and DH for the Yanks next season:

Hideki Matsui (if you think he's really any kind of outfielder at this point, I'm not going to argue with you, let's just agree that you're much more optimistic than I am.)

Jorge Posada (if you think he's a full-time catcher at this point, I'm not going to argue with you, but let's just agree that you're much more optimistic than I am.)

Johnny Damon (if you think he's really a centerfielder at this point, well, you get the idea)

Nick Swisher

In addition, it would be an absolute waste for a team to acquire a Mark Teixeira and plan on playing him only 80-90% of their games. Sure, the Yankees might not be done. I don't think Matsui or Posada are unloadable at this point, but Damon actually could be, which would make Swisher and Nady the corner OFs. Not sure how likely that is, who knows.

In any case, what IS likely now is that the Mark Teixeira competition may now be a two-horse race. Among the big spenders, the White Sox and Cubs have no need or spot for him, and neither have expressed the desire either. The Mets will stick with Delgado. The Dodgers are probably going Manny w/r/t a big bat. The Angels and us are probably the only teams remaining that are really serious about Teixeira. This certainly makes it easier to acquire him, for those who do want to bring him on-board. For the Yankees, it's a decent move to increase flexibility and to bring on a bat at a cheap price (in players) that has the potential to bounce back and be pretty productive.

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Oooh, bombshell. After this, I want the Sox to get Tex…

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Nov 13, 2008 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Matsui

I read somewhere that Matsui will not allow a trade from MFY. He considers being traded a sign of disrespect and would go back to Japan to finish his career.

I believe Matsui cannot be moved and coupled with your thoughts on Posada and Damon, makes the Yankees kind of stuck with all 3.

by SoxAcumen on Nov 13, 2008 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe the Wilson Betemit era is over

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 13, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just a dumb move at this time.

Swisher can put up some power numbers – 35 hr a few years back – but he hit .219 last year with 24 bombs. This isn’t the type of player you go after a few days into the offseason. He should have been a plan B or C to Tex.

Unless the Yanks are gearing up to stock up on pitching…….

Man do I hate Longhorn fans, well except for the ones that actually went there.

by mystman995 on Nov 13, 2008 6:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think this preculdes Teixeira

We have been talking about Swisher as a 4th OFer for the Sox, my guess is that the yanks have the same idea. Also Swisher played a lot of CF last year. They can have an OF/DH rotation of Nady, Swisher, Matsui, Damon and Melky (or is he out of the picture, I dunno). Plenty of AB’s to go around with all the age/injury questions. If Posada comes back strong, he could get some DH AB’s too, but I doubt they are going to let any of these guys block Teixeira. He’s too damn good.

by BTLove on Nov 13, 2008 7:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I look at it this way.

For 1B, DH, LF, RF they have Matsui, Damon, Nady, Swisher, Posada. Adding another player to that mix without taking one away, even if that one player is Teixiera, seems silly.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Nov 13, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Look at it past 2009...

Damon and matsui’s contracts are up are this coming year, and they’re old as shit. Posada will log most his games at catcher. Teixeira is a great hitter in his prime who you would sign for 6+ years. Maybe there would be a logjam in 2009, but they have flexibility beyond that. If you have a chance to replace aging mediocrity with young superiority, you take it. This goes for the Sox too. Sign Teixeira.

by BTLove on Nov 14, 2008 12:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

But it’s two ways. I’m not sure whether Teixeira would want to wait until 2010 to be the unquestioned, 155 games a year, starter at 1B in MFY-land.

I don’t really think Posada is a full-time catcher anymore, no matter what the Yankees FO would have us believe. I don’t think his shoulder is ever going to get back to the point where he’s going to be a viable defensive option behind the plate everyday. Might be proven incorrect, sure. But it’d be smarter, if the Yanks want his bat in the lineup, to plan on a good bit of PAs for him between 1B and DH as well as C.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Nov 14, 2008 1:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If he signd, he would play everyday.

Now I’m not sure the Yankees are going to sign Teixeira, they will probably focus most on pitching. But if they don’t sign him, it won’t be because they are worried about taking AB’s away from the all the stiffs on their roster.

by BTLove on Nov 14, 2008 2:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose.

But all these guys, barring DL time, have to be on the ML roster. It’d probably mean Damon as the only/primary backup in CF, and Posada would pretty much have to be able to catch full-time or at least split time with Molina.

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Nov 14, 2008 3:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also,

Last year Swisher had 92 OPS+ , Teixeira had 180 OPS+.

by BTLove on Nov 14, 2008 12:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Swisher as a 4th OF?

He’s better than all of the Red Sox OF and Yankee OF except for Jason Bay and Bobby Abreu.

by schmosterballs92 on Nov 13, 2008 7:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If he pales compared to Abreu

Then how does he really compare to JD Drew? I’ll give Swisher the edge on health, but otherwise, seriously?

"Are you a real doctor, or a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor?"

by Allen Chace on Nov 13, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't decide if you are a troll or not...

Maybe unintentionally…

Swisher isn’t really that good, but I’d put JD above him, probably Ells if he pulls himself together.

Wow, the fact that you only missed one player kinda speaks to the quality of the Sox and MFY’s OF these days…

Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/glossary/

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 13, 2008 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're overrating Abreu and underrating JD Drew

Abreu can’t field shit when he sees all those big scary walls around him.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Nov 13, 2008 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you serious about this statement?

Nick Swisher is average at best and if we are being honest his best days are long gone.

Bay, Drew, Coco and Ellsbury are better players than Swisher.

by SoxAcumen on Nov 13, 2008 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Last year

Swisher was worse than Damon, Matsui, Abreu, Coco, Bay, and Drew.

by BTLove on Nov 14, 2008 1:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

First of all, schmosterballs, Swisher is a 4th OF on the Red Sox. Batting average is very important and Bay and Drew clearly have an advantage over Swisher in that category. While Ellsbury doesn’t put up the same power numbers, he’s our leadoff hitter, he can hit for average (he’ll do better than 2008), and his defense is spectacular.

About the Yankees, Swisher doesn’t block a Teixeira deal at all. He is an insurance policy for Damon+Matsui+Abreu. Abreu isn’t much of an injury risk, but he might not be back with the Yanks next year. That leaves Damon, Matsui, Nady, and Swisher. They’ll platoon those guys as they see fit.
If they sign Tex, and Damon/Matsui go lame in the outfield, it’s just tough luck and they get benched.

by Schulz on Nov 13, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the MFY are going to be after CC, Manny and AJ in that order.

by matzushocka45 on Nov 13, 2008 8:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you matzushocka

The last thing Cashman wants is people to know about a MFY/manny deal, and CC is their priority.

by SoxAcumen on Nov 13, 2008 11:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just what they need

Another corner OF/DH.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 14, 2008 7:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the MFY know that if they sign Manny, they will be getting a motivated Manny. I don’t think for one second Manny is going to sign anywhere else this winter, I’ve felt this way since July 31st.
It’s going to suck.

by matzushocka45 on Nov 14, 2008 7:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget that Manny grew up in the Bronx

I can easily see Hideki Matsui traded to the Giants, Mariners, or any number of other teams.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Nov 14, 2008 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Matsui

has a no trade clause and will not agree to any trade. He has stated many times that being trade is unacceptable, disrespectful and he would just go back to Japan and finish with Yomururi Giants.

by SoxAcumen on Nov 14, 2008 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

... and

Manny wasn’t an MFY fan growing up. He liked the Blue Jays.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 14, 2008 5:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oops, sorry Drugs.

Didn’t read the entire thread first.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 14, 2008 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He grew up a Jays fan, btw.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 14, 2008 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Offered to CC today.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 14, 2008 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see this as totally excluding the signing of Tex.

But I am hopeful.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Nov 13, 2008 11:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Off topic.

But sniff.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Nov 13, 2008 11:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

About time

Good things aren’t supposed to last long.

Mother---- him and John Wayne!

by MerryGoByeBye on Nov 14, 2008 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn!

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Nov 14, 2008 7:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Very sad.

I suppose we here at OTM can pick up some of the slack, at least on bad Red Sox journalism.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Nov 14, 2008 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Someone write over there

hey, everyone on FJM, come on over to www.overthemonster.com !

Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!

by BoSox415 on Nov 14, 2008 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You can't. It's a closed forum.

Someone would have to hack the blog to post on it.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Nov 14, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not a good way to attract them I'm assuming.

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 14, 2008 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn you Obama! Why must you cause our favorite blogs to shut down!!!

/sarcasm upon self, because I feel like I’m not beat up enough

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 14, 2008 6:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This one's on Bush.

You can’t start blaming Obama for everything until January 20, at least.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Nov 14, 2008 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anticipation.

Start stockpiling the bomb shelters now. Also, bank accounts. /political tangent

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Nov 14, 2008 6:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Career .244 hitter with a career .354 OBP...whoopee

I just don’t understand this belief that Swisher is a great player. I keep hearing he is “versatile” and a great hitter…..is he though?

Consider Eric Hinske who hit .247 with 20HR’s in a lot fewer at bats then Swisher last season.

Hinske also cost far less then Swisher and can play 3rd/1st and OF. What would you give up to get Hinske? For me, I’d take Hinske given Swisher is owed $15 million+ over the next two seasons.

by kangarooboxer on Nov 14, 2008 8:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

One point I heard somewhere

That picking up Swisher was just one way for NY to avoid signing Tex for more money because of a vacancy. If they didn’t have someone to play 1B then his agent could demand god knows howmuch for Tex and the Yankees would have to pay it because they had no other choice. The Swisher pickup was a good one for them, gives them some flexability, and also serves as a backup in case they don’t get Teixeira.

I could be wrong though

by staplemaniac on Nov 14, 2008 4:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs