Swisher

by jscape2000 on Nov 13, 2008 11:59 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

Swisher, who turns 28 this month, is the first baseman of the moment for the Yankees, who hope his disappointing 2008 season was an aberration.

For the low, low price of Jeff Marquez, Jhonny Nunez, and Wilson Betemit, we've got a 1B/ corner OF.

At 28, Swisher is young, athletic, and a solid bat. His Batting Average on Balls in Play last season was .251, 28 points below his career average. To me, that screams bad luck, especially since his LD% went up from 2007 to 2008.

If Swisher rebounds to 2007 (.262/.381/.455), it's only a slight step down from Giambi's .247/.373/.502.

And better yet would be to sign Teixeira anyways.

While the Blogfather believes that trading corner outfielders would indicate that "Cashman blows it all up," I think trading either Nady or Damon makes more sense than ever IF (note the big if) the Yanks can find a centerfielder. Otherwise, we're looking at Damon in center, Nady and Swisher on the corners, and Melky or Gardner as the fourth outfielder.

The Yankees are a better team than they were this morning. And upgrading offense and defense at the same time rocks.

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Blow it up

I’m not sure I’m on the same page as Pete. I think it would be totally logical for Cash to use Swisher as insurance at 1B and try to make room for him in a corner OF position while still pursuing Tex.

I don’t necessarily think that will happen though. If it does, I would bet on Cash moving Nady because he is younger and cheaper than Damon and presumably more attractive as trade bait, unless they were to trade Damon for nothing and send a bunch of cash with him.

A couple things make me think we will probably see Swisher and not Tex at 1B on opening day. One is that CC has to be the FA priority over Tex. Two is that adding two huge contracts at the same time would seem to fly in the face of the Yankees recent cost cutting ways.

Still, there is no doubt they will at least talk with Tex. They can’t sit on their hands and let him possibly go to Boston. On top of that, the Swisher move shaves off a bit of Tex’s leverage at the negotiating table.

Either way it’s a smart move.

by losjanks on Nov 14, 2008 5:51 PM EST reply actions