This trade also signifies another deal is on the horizon. A barren outfield last season now looks crowed with Swisher, Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin, Cuban newcomer Alexi Ramirez, and possibly Josh Fields. Fields' bat has to be in the lineup, so expect another big trade soon. Joe Crede would seem like the most obvious choice to leave, but don’t be surprised if Paul Konerko is dealt. I would contend that Crede’s actual value is much higher then his trade value, and Konerko, while he is a favorite of every Sox fan, could bring in a poor man’s version of a kings ransom.
The Sox made it clear from the beginning of the offseason that were trying to compete in 2008, and this deal will help them do that. Sure, the division looks stacked with Cleveland and Detroit being two of the three best teams in the majors, but this Sox team isn’t too bad either right now, as dumb as that may sound. Here’s the projected lineup and batting order:
1. SS Orlando Cabrera
2. CF Nick Swisher
3. 1B Paul Konerko
4. DH Jim Thome
5. RF Jermaine Dye
6. 3B Josh Fields
7. C AJ Pierzynski
8. LF Carlos Quentin
9. 2B Danny Richar
That lineup isn’t bad at all, and it’s surprisingly young. Basically, this Swisher deal makes me very optimistic, so much so that I now don’t think the Sox will lose 95+ games. How exciting.
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Comments
Nick Swisher certainly replaces Joe Crede's bat in the lineup, in both good and bad ways. He'll produce the same power (hopefully more consistently than Crede), but... damn, he strike out alot. This seems a lateral movement for the Sox. I guess it depends on what they get back for Crede...
Big dif between Crede and Swish is that Crede doesn't get on-base at all and Swish is a master of it. Playing in Oakland hindered Swisher too, at a hitters park like US Cellular, all his offensive numbers should improve.
I love crede, probably my favorite guy on the team, but we have to trade him at this point. They need to know how josh can handle being full time at third and credes back is never going to be ok.
Yeah i like Crede too, everyone does. I just don't know what they're going to get for him since he'll be a free agent, he has a bad back, and Scott Boras is his agent. I would really hate if they just gave him away, because he proved he could in 2006, and he's one of the best defensive 3B in the league. I love Fields' bat, but Crede is much better defensively. It's really quite the problem, and its a huge decision for Kenny.
Rickhouse, I hope you are trying to play devil's advocate here. How can you possibly say de Los Santos and Gio are the Sox top two prospects when guys like Broadway and Haeger have legitimate shots at the #5 spot? Kenny should feel no shame in pulling the trigger in what was obviously his best most this off-season, and a deal that should be noted around the league. While you may be right that another deal is on the horizon, no way could/would it involve Konerko. Konerko and his hefty salary are valuable to one team, and one team only: The White Sox. The aging 1B is not worth that contract to any other team in baseball. And what would happen to the lineup if they did trade Paulie? Thome is aging and couldn't handle the grind, and Swisher would fit there, but the gash in CF would re-open. Crede, whether we like it or not, will be the opening day 3B and if he plays solid and the Sox remain in the hunt, Josh Fields could be the youth somebody is looking for in exchange for a solid OF (Enter Carl Crawford, who is entering a contract year.) Oh and Carlos Quintin has no chance of being an everyday OF, seeing as he is the MLB equivalent to Henry Rowengartner. I cannot believe how much faith you have in a player who has done so little.
I H8 Crede.
Has the GM weighed in on this one? I thought Nick Swisher was one of Beane's favorites in Oakland and am surprised he traded him.
Interesting deal by the Sox but a lot of K's in that lineup now and little pitching depth after Floyd. I'm not even sure Swisher can play a good CF full-time.
If Williams traded Konerko now, wouldn't the fans burn down the cell? He's wiffed on nearly all of his off-season targets and to top it off he trades a fan favorite? That's a recipe for disaster.
Crede to St. Louis for Anthony Reyes if Rolen gets moved in the Spring