Keep Damon, Trade Swisher?

by LateInningRelief on Dec 18, 2009 1:51 PM EST

Swisher, 29, is the right guy to move; he will not improve much on his 29-homer, 82-RBI season, and his over-the-top gregariousness eventually will wear thin. The Braves love Swish, and would love even more to obtain him for right-hander Derek Lowe. The Yankees should pass on that idea – Lowe turns 37 on June 1 and has not pitched in the American League since 2004. Swisher for prospects would be a better move, and the Yankees then could sign some innings eater at a reasonable price to be their No. 4 starter.

I’ve got no problem with the Yankees refusing to give Damon big money for three or four years. I’ve also got no problem with Boras advocating for his client and trying to suck every last dollar out of the biggest money-making machine in sports. It’s business, and we’ve all become accustomed to the familiar off-season song-and-dance.

Well, enough already.

Damon needs the Yankees, and the Yankees need Damon.

Get it done.

Thoughts?

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Comments

No way.

And the fact that he pointed out Swisher’s age in the very first sentence pretty much defeats his reasoning for trading him. I don’t think we need any more prospects and if Swisher even just barely replicates his 09 numbers, we’d be totally happy with that considering his current price tag.

Yankees all day.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

"If you're not doing it right, you're doing it wrong. And there's no in between." ~Mark "Lunch" McKenzie

by Onishadow14 on Dec 18, 2009 2:38 PM EST reply actions

NO. PERIOD.

by vencervelliven on Dec 18, 2009 2:59 PM EST reply actions

I figured this would

meet with derision. Anybody brave enough here to come to Rosenthal’s defense?

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Dec 18, 2009 3:02 PM EST reply actions

I understand his point. But Gardner can’t play right and I’m not giving it full time to Melky.

Also, please identify the “other innings eater” who is available.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 18, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not surprised

that Rosenthal wrote something like this. I love Damon and I really hope he somehow comes back, but, seriously, trade Swisher? The guy was huge on the field and in the clubhouse this year. And he’s young. He has pop, he walks a lot, he plays a decent right field, and he’s excellent at working the count. Why trade that away? Makes no sense Ken. No sense at all.

by nyyrocks29 on Dec 18, 2009 3:13 PM EST reply actions

McDaniel

will totally agree with this. Wonder why he hasn’t posted yet?

by Wraithpk on Dec 18, 2009 3:33 PM EST reply actions

I am not apposed to Rosenthal's proposal

I am not sold on Swisher. I think he is overrated. He had a great regular season last year and took full advantage of the Xavier Nady injury. I believe he gave the Yankees a ton more than they hoped for and made us all completely forget about Xavier Nady. He had a great year, and he had a few good years back in Oakland.

I would be absolutely shocked if he had a better year in 2010 and am not all that confident he will put up similar numbers. I believe in 3 or 4 years he will be a part-time DH/bench player. I think he is very dispensible and at this time the Yankees could get more than what he is probably worth. I know he is a great clubhouse guy but so are Damon, Sabathia, Granderson, and a lot of other people.

Swisher is a career .245/.357/.460 hitter.
Damon – .288/.355/.439
Nady – .280/.335/.458

For 2010, I would rather have Damon (at the Yankees’ price) in the outfield over Swisher. I know Damon is significantly older, but I think he’s got 1-2 good years left. His numbers have not declined significantly, and he loves that short porch in right.

I would also be interested in seeing Nady get another shot, and if he stays healthy, I really think he is a better option in right than Swisher.

by SLS on Dec 18, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions

In what universe is Derek Lowe a good pitcher?

Lowe’s last 3 seasons where he didn’t pitch in the offense-challenged NL West…

2003 (AL East) – 4.47 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
2004 (AL East) – 5.42 ERA, 1.62 WHIP
2009 (NL East) – 4.67 ERA, 1.52 WHIP

Not to mention that regardless of how much of his salary Atlanta picked up, he’s still signed for 3 more years and would be blocking someone better (because just about anyone would be better) from a rotation spot until he’s 40.

Nick Swisher was a great fit for this team last year, lightening up the clubhouse and contributing offensively. His 2009 numbers weren’t far from his career norms, so I don’t see why he wouldn’t repeat that. He’s also a bit overpaid so he wouldn’t bring back anything besides another overpaid player (such as Lowe) or B-level prospects. Swisher’s definitely more valuable as a Yankee than he is as a trade chip.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Dec 18, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions

Is Ken Rosenthal insane?

Trade Swisher because he can’t improve on his 129 OPS+? How can he talk about improving when 36 year old Johnny Damon just had a career year?

by Coke_Zero on Dec 18, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions

exactly.

29-year-old Swisher had a fairly ‘Swisher-esque’ year, but 36-year-old Damon had a significantly ‘better-than-Damon’ year. which is more likely to regress?

plus Swish plays better D.

by Travis G on Dec 19, 2009 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Nah...

Swisher cost less, is younger, and less likely to be playing for a contract in 2010…like Damon was.

I’d like Johnny back…what the hell does Swisher have to do with it? He’s the RF. Damon’s the LF/DH.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 18, 2009 7:25 PM EST reply actions

While smoking crack may be a fun recreation drug the long term effects are harsh

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Dec 18, 2009 7:42 PM EST reply actions

I disagree with Rosenthal on

trading Swisher. But he was right re: Damon and the Yankees.

I think Cash may have pressed too fast on Johnson. Unless, of course, he was prepared to get both Johnson and Damon all along. In which case, well played. But if he was looking for leverage, he needed to give Damon a chance.

Boras is an ass. And while Damon was certainly a participant in an absurd proposal, I think he, like A-Rod, put his faith in his agent to do the right thing. And unfortunately, it’s Boras, a guy who has proven yet again that he’s bad for baseball.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Dec 18, 2009 8:32 PM EST reply actions

Wait....

Was Rosenthal the same guy who wore a pink blazer during the playoffs at one point?

Yankees all day.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

"If you're not doing it right, you're doing it wrong. And there's no in between." ~Mark "Lunch" McKenzie

by Onishadow14 on Dec 18, 2009 8:58 PM EST reply actions

As good as Swisher was this year...

He will be better in 2010. I have no doubt that Kevin Long will work wonders for him and bat for a higher average and get over 100 RBI.

by RuBiCaNT on Dec 18, 2009 10:10 PM EST reply actions

100 RBIs?

From Swish? Wishful thinking.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Dec 18, 2009 11:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I like this idea

Sounds good to me. But we still need to replace Swisher’s output. Only logical choice for that would be Matt Holiday. Specially, since Yankees seem to want Brett Gardener to be a top of the order hitter. This would allow the addition of a good starter and allow Brett to grow into a top of the order hitter.

by djoep2000 on Dec 19, 2009 8:41 AM EST reply actions