Interesting way to look at Swisher Trade (Evolution)

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/11/the-evolution-of-a-trade/

KANSAS CITY – The way Nick Swisher is playing right now (7 for 13, with two homers and nine runs batted in) the Yankees’ November deal for him looks like a steal. They shipped infielder Wilson Betemit, a player they significantly overrated, and the minor league pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez to the White Sox, who were eager to dump the $22 million they owed Swisher through 2011.

Swisher looked like a spare part after the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira, and in time he might be. But for now, Swisher is doing everything the Yankees could have wanted, and they have the notorious Ruben Rivera to thank.

Makes no sense, right? Well, follow the evolution of the trade that brought Swisher to the Yankees.

1990 – Yankees sign Rivera from Panama.

1997 – Yankees trade Rivera to Padres in Hideki Irabu deal.

1999 – Yankees trade Irabu to Expos for Jake Westbrook (and others)

2000 – Yankees trade Westbrook to Indians for David Justice

2001 – Yankees trade Justice to Mets for Robin Ventura

2003 – Yankees trade Ventura to Dodgers for Scott Proctor

2007 – Yankees trade Proctor to Dodgers for Wilson Betemit

2008 – Yankees trade Betemit to White Sox in Swisher deal

There you have it. How Nick Swisher became a Yankee, in eight easy steps.