Transaction Analysis: Nick Swisher to the Yankees
Sorry for the delay. Looks like I picked the wrong day to see the boss (no, not that boss) in Melville.
So let's discuss this:
I love it. I think the Yankees just defined their offseason.
Goodbye, Mark Teixeira, Goodbye, Jason Giambi. Hello, common sense.
Swisher is coming off a horrendous 2008 season, but from speaking with people who know him well, I think it was a fluke. He was playing out of position, both in centerfield and hitting leadoff. If you look at his splits, you see that, while hitting leadoff, he tallied a .354 on-base percentage and .324 slugging percentage. Looks like someone who changed his approach to fit a role, doesn't it?
The season kind of snowballed on him, and he especially melted down in September, putting up a .235 on-base percentage and .311 slugging percentage. Throw in the fact - thanks, JE - that he had a .249 Batting Average on Balls in Play (BABiP), and you can see that bad luck played a role, as well.
So why do I like this? First of all, the Yankees gave up virtually nothing for him. Wilson Betemit? Brian Cashman will have to find a new man crush, that's all. Jeffrey Marquez? Meh. They got him for so little because they took on the $21.05 million owed to him through 2011.
But if Swisher can approach his 2006 and 2007 output, those numbers will be a bargain, especially compared to Teixeira, who will wind up signing for a package worth something like eight times what the Yankees owe Swisher.
Swisher plays good defense at first base, and he's also an upbeat guy, in the mold of Johnny Damon. The Yankees could use some more happy people.
With this move, I'm giving up on the idea that the Yankees will not land CC Sabathia. They'll have no limit on their offer to him, and he'll have to accept it. And while I think that'll be a mistake, better to have commit just one nine-figure contract to someone you don't know, rather than two.
P.S. Swisher and Sabathia are friendly, through Barry Zito.
Cashman refused to say he's out of the Texiera sweepstakes, and I suppose something wacky could happen like a trade of Damon or Xavier Nady, which could shift Swisher to a corner outfield spot. But don't bet on that. Cashman is emphasizing defense, and Swisher's best position is first base.
Furthermore, by staying engaged in the Teixeira talks, Cashman can at least create the perception that he's involved, thereby driving up the price for the Angels and Red Sox on Teixeira.
This is the sort of move by which Cashman has tried to make his name: Kudos for exhibiting the boldness to pull it off.
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Comments (24)
What made the BABIP figure even more remarkable, Ken, is that, at 20.9%, his line drive percentage (LD%) had never been higher!
This Scott Brosius-like deal is a brilliant move by Cashman. He is showing his genius yet again, twice in 2 days.
Yes, Cashman is certainly a genius. I am anxious to see where the Yankees stand on July 4, 2009. I am sure that Marte and Swisher will be leading the team and C.C. will be destined for the starting pitcher's role in the AS game. I will feel very foolish for ever doubting Brian C. Very foolish indeed.
Marquez is one of many and thins the herd a bit. Jhonny Nunez was rule 5 eligible and Texeira is not. Betemit was/is a hacker and including him means no 40 man spot is needed for Swisher. Cashman is smart!
The likeable Brosius came to the Yanks from the A's (for Kenny Rogers) where he had played all INF and OF positions after a season of .203, 11 HR's. The Yanks settled him at 3B where he was a solid contributor on 3 title teams. The Yanks have too many hackers and the patient Swish is said to have a good personality and seems like an excellent solution at 1B while keeping the payroll reasonable (short 3yr/only 21 mil) just like the Marte (short 3 yr/only 12 mil) signing. WOW! Is Cash kicking butt or what? And FA hasn't even started yet! This team is going to be great and open the new stadium is style!
Robby Cano hits .271 with 35 doubles, 14 HRs and 72 RBIs and strikes out 65 times and makes $6 million all the while being condemned. Swisher hits .219 with 21 doubles, 24 HRs, 69 RBIs, 135 Ks, 53 fewer hits and 41 less TBs and makes a million bucks more a year and he is welcomed with open arms as Cashman is praised for his "boldness." Only in America. Only in America.
Hey Ken.
Thought you got to see Bruce again.
Will the Mets sign anyone else? Delgado and Tatis are a start but the team needs Hudson at second and both bullpen help and corner outfielder.
~H
Howard, the Mets will sign a starting pitcher and closer, for starters, and I think they might pick up some offensive help, as well. Ibanez? Millar? We'll see.
Jack, just like with Cano, there is much reason to think that Swisher will have a rebound year. Batting average is meaningless for both. Swisher drew 82 walks to Cano's 26, more than evening out that difference in hits.
By trading for Swisher, the Yanks can pass on Teixeira and play Swisher at 1st base. It also justify having a platoon of Gardner and Cabrera in Center even thought neither Gardner and Cabrera can hit a lick.
Jack, since your anti-Cashman, if this was another GM that made the same moves that Cashman has made with the Yanks, your be hammer that person too.
I'm good if we stand pat now except the starting rotation. The bench can be filled from within. Ransom and Russo can compete for Betemit's time. I'd like to see Cash try to make some minor trades and get something for Rasner, Giese, Edwar Ramirez, Britton, Igawa and Shelley Duncan but I'd bet these are the guys he was talking about when he said he had guys no one wanted. Forget CC. Go get Garland to go with Moose, Andy and CMW. Joba and Aceves with Hughes as last resort, fill up the rest.
It amazes me how quickly Cash has strengthened the farm and built a super strong and deep bullpen. I like how he has emphasized rebuilding the pitching pipeline first. I like how we have several C prospects working their way up to take over for Posada in a few years. I like how we have at least one CF prospect with star ability that may help us in 2 or 3 years. With a young star at 2B and 6 or 7 more years until Jeter retires from SS, we'll be strong up the middle for awhile. This is the best minor league talent the Yanks have had in my memory, since the M&M boys.
Ken, since you are a future Frick Award winner I will put all my faith in you and place my order for Yankee playoff tickets now. :)
Dennis, I would criticize these moves no matter who made them. I gave Cashman a pass for too many years. I think he's a windbag. One of these times the Yankees will let him walk and then we can all see what he is made of in a city with an $80 million budget.
Dennis, I don't know how anyone can compare Swisher to Teixeira other than they both can play first base. Swisher batted .219, Gardner can't hit big league pitching, Cabrera was sent down mainly because he can't hit, Molina can't hit (and he might be catching at the start of the year because Posada might not be ready), but Cashman must be congratulated for being bold.
Ken, walks equal hits? Doesn't putting the ball in play count for just a little bit more. Agreed Cano's walk total is ridiculously low, but he struck out less than half the time and Swisher's total of 135 Ks is pretty darn high.
But there is still an opportunity for the Yankees to spend some cash...baseball musings quotes the SD papers as saying the Cub and Braves deals for Peavy are falling through.
also...fire joe morgan is closing down...
Jack, As I said before, both Cashman and Hank and Hal had a choice. Cashman could have decide to leave the Yanks on his own. Hank and Hal could have decided to let Cashman go when his contract expired at the end of this past season. Instead Hank and Hal both wanted Cashman back and Cashman wanted to come back. So you can pretty much blame Hank and Hal for bringing back Cashman when they could have gone with someone else.
I wonder the potential breakup of Jon Miller and Joe Morgan as a broadcast team on ESPN is causing the FIre Joe Morgan web site to close down.
I think walks and hits both have their advantages, Jack. Walks are especially helpful when you're trying to wear out a pitcher, which is why I think Brett Gardner has some value; the guy does know how to work a count. Obviously, there are times when you'd rather see your guy expand his strike zone and get a big hit.
Jack I agree with you. I think there are more important catagories than batting average, but saying Swishers and Cano's BA last year was meaningless is a statement I dont understand.
Swisher is a decent player but I'm not going to add 30 RBI's just because he's going to bat 5th or 6th in the Yankee lineup. I think this will turn out to be a very bad move.
I wasn't a proponant of signing Tex either, nor was I a proponant of going with a 1B by committee. So I didn't really have a solution, but I know this wouldn't have been it.
I really hope you're right about Mr. Wood staying with the Cubbies. If they are depending on Gregg, they better hope Marmol can cut it. If I were the Mets I'd try to swoop in on Mr. Wood. I know he's injury prone but he would be my first choice.
And Ken, CC can definitely reject the offer the Yanks give him. He's going to get 130 million from some team, is 30 million really worth quality of life when you have all the money you need anyways?
I've been following Swisher since his rookie season in Oakland. Yes, I agree that 2008 was an off year for him--he was unused to playing CF on a regular basis and he'd never hit leadoff before, plus he was in a new city. However, as cheap as he came to the Sox you have to wonder why they were so anxious to get rid of him. I mean, come on, Wilson Betemit? I know Ozzie Guillen wasn't too pleased with him when he complained about not getting playing time and said so publicly. What else went on that would make a team get rid of a healthy switch-hitting multi-position player in his prime (Swisher will be 28 on 11/25) after only one year? As a Yankees fan I'm happy that Swisher's here--the guy has personality to spare and is well-known for being fan friendly--but I still wonder what happened in Chicago.
i think we can refrain from the "genuis talk" just yet.
Wait a second? Jack has a problem with this deal? Wow, never would of guessed that. The Yankees could sign GOD to play and Jack would have reasons why it's not going to work.
Jack: "Well GOD is being paid 20 mill a year i think he should be hitting 1.000 not .926, plus there is no way God can handle playing in NY, Only in America"
"and he is welcomed with open arms as Cashman is praised for his "boldness." Only in America. Only in America."
Jack they traded Wilson Betemit, he was aweful, i would of welcomed a bag of balls for Betemit with open arms, you make no sense. Noone is "praising" Cashmen or saying it was a "bold" move. Do you actually read anything? How can you bash cashman in any way for trading garbage and a minor leaguer for a guy that can have a nice upside if he turns things around? Again your logic is ming boggling.
Ken
Does this trade remind you of the Scott Brosius trade back in the winter of 97?
I like the Brosius comparison i think it's makes sense. Brosius hit .203 in 470 ab's the year before the yanks got him.
I am always thrilled when we have newcomers who stick around, but let's please try to keep things above the belt.
Honestly, Sean, I think this is bigger than the Brosius trade. Bigger risk, and bigger upside. Swisher is a really, really nice player who can be a keystone for years to come. Brosius was a good piece of a dynasty, but remember that he often hit nice and, with the notable exception of '98, didn't offer much in the way of OPS.
I love the "look on the bright side" talk. This is a guy who is on his 3rd team in 2 yrs. More importantly, though, is that he had the WORST BA in the LEAGUE w/ at least 502 ab's. Of course there's other things to consider, but let me repeat - the worst ba in the league. And that was supposedly because he changed positions? C'mon...
I can certainly appreciate not wanting to give the big money to both Tek AND CC, but you have to think there were better alternatives. Plus, is this really a defensive upgrade from Roid Boy?
I can see it now. Yanks down 6-5, bottom 9. 2 out, bases loaded. Up steps Swisher. 3-2 count and the pitch...looping breaking ball...
SWOOSH..Game over
I'd like to see how many "look on the bright side" Yank fans are around then..
"Plus, is this really a defensive upgrade from Roid Boy?"
C'mon with that comment? Giambi couldn't throw the ball to the pitcher covering, 2nd on a douple play, or home if he had to. That meathead was the wosrt 1b i have ever seen. I can make a solid argument that a sack of potatos at 1st would be an upgrade over Giambi.
and we know about the BA, we get it. But they gave up garbage and minor leaguers to get him so it's worth the shot. yes, he very well may stink but the guy will be batting low in a great lineup with no pressure on him. Only time will tell if it wil work out here.
Here's what RT wrote: "Noone (sic) is "praising" Cashmen or saying it was a "bold" move. Do you actually read anything?"
Here's what Ken wrote above: "This is the sort of move by which Cashman has tried to make his name: Kudos for exhibiting the boldness to pull it off."
RT, I suggest you look in the mirror before making a crack about someone's reading comprehension skills.
I'm a Yankee FAN. I just don't have blind loyalty like you to have. If Cashman traded for Freddie Sez you would probably be praising the deal. Only in America. Only in America.