Yanks acquire Swisher from White Sox

11/13/08 5:23 PM EST
Yanks acquire Swisher from White Sox

By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Yankees acquired first baseman Nick Swisher from the White Sox for Wilson Betemit and two Minor Leaguers on Thursday, adding both thump and versatility to their lineup.

"We're excited with the addition of Nick Swisher," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said in a statement. "We feel he has a ton of upside. He's a patient switch-hitter, adds versatility at a number of defensive positions, including first base and the outfield, and will be a positive presence inside the clubhouse."

The Yankees also received Minor League pitcher Kanekoa Texeira from the White Sox, in exchange for Betemit and Minor League pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez.
Swisher, 27, hit .219 with 24 homers last season for the White Sox, playing first base and all three outfield positions. He is a .244 career hitter with 104 home runs. Swisher should play mostly first base for the Yankees, according to general manager Brian Cashman, simply because that remains the team's greatest need.

But that could also change based on what the Yankees do throughout the rest of the offseason.

"We acquired him, obviously, because he fills a need right now, and we feel that if the season starts today, that's where he'd be," Cashman said. "But the season doesn't start today."

Swisher could also spell Johnny Damon in left field or Xavier Nady in right. Though he played more games in center field than either of the corner positions with the White Sox last season, Swisher appears to be nothing more than an insurance policy in center for the Yankees.

Cashman said that his scouts consider Swisher a "plus defender" at the corner outfield positions and first place, but just average in center.

"One of the reasons we were attracted to Nick," Cashman said, "is that he's got the flexibility, the versatility to play left, center, right, first. We, obviously, have a vacancy at first base, but the winter is early."

To acquire Swisher, the Yankees had to deal away Marquez, one of the top remaining pitching prospects in their farm system. Marquez was 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA in 19 starts split between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Trenton.

Betemit, 27, was a utility infielder for the Yankees. He hit .265 with six home runs in 87 games this season. Nunez appeared in eight games for Trenton last season following a midseason trade, and struck out 26 batters in 19 1/3 innings.

The Yankees also received Texeira, who was 6-3 with 21 saves and a 1.33 ERA in 51 relief appearances split between Class A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham last season. Those numbers included 20 saves and a 0.93 ERA with Winston-Salem, and a scoreless-innings streak that hit 22 straight appearances before the 22-year-old's promotion.

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

That was unexpected.

It was, I was expecting the Yanks to go after Tex as soon as possible.

gdennis59 wrote:

It was, I was expecting the Yanks to go after Tex as soon as possible.

I think they still will. Swisher is a better outfielder than a 1B anyways. Swisher might be their answer to CF.

New York is a good place for a former Buckeye :puke2:

Swisher Sucks

bobrob2004 wrote:

gdennis59 wrote:

It was, I was expecting the Yanks to go after Tex as soon as possible.

I think they still will. Swisher is a better outfielder than a 1B anyways. Swisher might be their answer to CF.

Well yeah, but maybe they should focus on pitching, I mean, Mussina might be retiring, and Pettitte is a FA. Maybe just put Swisher on first, then try and find a prospect for CF?

gs78 wrote:

Swisher Sucks

good grief, everyone is going to the Yankees!

laprimamirala wrote:

gs78 wrote:

Swisher Sucks

good grief, everyone is going to the Yankees!

Steinbrenner showing them the money

I don't even care if the Red Sox win again, as long as them Yanks don't!

Yankees Stink!

I like the Red Sox, the Yankees are a team alot of people love to hate if they dont live in NY.

But the Yankees will suck next year, I dont care how many signings they made, I think Boston will be able to outdo them.

gdennis59 wrote:

I like the Red Sox, the Yankees are a team alot of people love to hate if they dont live in NY.

But the Yankees will suck next year, I dont care how many signings they made, I think Boston will be able to outdo them.

I hope you right G

The Yankees trying to buy a WS Title

I hope the Yankees fail in their quest

pride goeth before a fall