So ends the Nick Swisher Era, after just one brutal season.
In return (at least how it's being reported right now), the Sox get veteran infielder Wilson Betemit, 24-year old pitcher Jeff Marquez, and minor leaguer pitcher Jhonny Nunez. I'll have to ask Brian about the pitchers because I don't know anything about them.
Betemit is the only player I'm familar with. He's cheap and versatile, and sported a Uribe-like .289 OBP last year. Not good.
The key to the deal seems to be Marquez. As of right now, I have to side with my
SSS brotheren and say this deal sucks. Swish was bad last year but he was signed long term for a relatively cheap contract and could be counted on for patience and power. I thought he would bounce back next year in The Cell after a horribly unlucky first half. I guess we'll have to see what he can do in New York.
As a rule, I trust Kenny Williams, so we'll see how this turns out.
UPDATE -- email from Brian
Are you a swisher fan? The yanks didn't give up anything in this deal.
Marquez is a sinker-baller, maybe a back of the rotation guy. the other
guy projects to be a reliever, most likely. Don't know a ton about him,
they traded for him at the deadline. Betemit blows. This was the Sox
cutting salary. I guess they didn't like Swisher as much as
Konerko/Thome and they finally admitted he's not an outfielder.
You guys won the deal, though. Swisher is garbage.
Who are your brotheren? What exactly do brothern do?
is that even a word? I might have just made it up.
Marquez had a mediocre year in the minors in 2008. He was the Yanks' #7 rated prospect heading into the season, but posted a pretty high WHIP and low K/9 this season.
Nunez looked good once he got to the Yanks and went to the pen.
I said the Sox won this trade basically because I hate it for the Yanks, but if you look at what the Sox gave up for Swisher a year ago, and what they got back in this package, well, the deals aren't even close.
As a rule, I trust Kenny Williams, so we'll see how this turns out.
They say rules are meant to be broken, well, this one should be broken, for your health, of course.
This reminds me a ton of the Rowand trade, just like Swisher reminded me a ton of Rowand. Ultimate clubhouse guy, will do whatever for the team to win. Swish batted out of position and played out of position, but never complained. The only difference is that we got Thome for Rowand and very little for Swish.