Trades: Swisher sent to the White Sox
Kenny Williams needed to do something to make the White Sox relevant again, and he might have done it, acquiring 27-year old outfielder Nick Swisher today from the Oakland Athletics. Swisher gives Chicago the centerfielder they have been seeking since Aaron Rowand packed his bags as part of the Jim Thome deal. He will join Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye in a completely retooled outfield for 2008. This setup is certainly interesting, if not anything else.
Swisher is signed through 2011 at very reasonable dollars (he’ll earn only $3.5M in 2008), with an option for 2012. One of Williams’ stated goals was to add some OBP to his team, and Swisher’s lifetime .361 mark (.381 last season) certainly achieves that. His bat also gives the White Sox lineup some needed punch (Swisher has averaged 26.0 HR the past three years). The only downside is his career .251 batting average, but when you draw 100 walks per season, that can easily be overlooked. Swisher could bat third in a very decent lineup next year, which is good for his fantasy value. This is a much better boost for the club than trading for Coco Crisp, for example.
Of course, Chicago had to pay a lot to get this kind of player with this kind of contract. Oakland GM Billy Beane is entering full rebuilding mode, having traded away his ace pitcher earlier this offseason. He acquired left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez, formerly of the Philadelphia farm system, as the centerpiece of the deal. Gonzalez is considered to be nearly ready, which means that he’ll be given a shot at Oakland’s rotation come spring. If his improved control from 2007 sticks, he should be a valuable pitcher for them in the years to come. Gonzalez comes over with Fautino De Los Santos, a high-ceiling 22-year old fireballer who mowed down hitters at Single-A and High-A last season with good control. Also included in the deal was Ryan Sweeney, a big, defense-minded outfielder who has performed well enough with the stick at Triple-A in his year 21 and 22 seasons. With a lanky 6′ 4″ frame, he could still fill out and add some muscle.
