Yankees acquire Nick Swisher from White Sox in multi-player deal
Thursday, November 13th 2008, 5:51 PM
Green/AP
Nick Swisher lands in the Bronx after multi-player deal with the White Sox.
In their first salvo of what is expected to be a busy winter, the Yankees have acquired first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox in a multi-player deal, the team said.
The principals going back to the White Sox are pitching prospects Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez, both right-handers, and utility infielder Wilson Betemit. The Yankees also acquired minor-league righty Kanekoa Texeira.
"We're excited with the addition of Nick Swisher," Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said in a statement released by the team. "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."
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Marquez was discussed last year when the Yanks explored a trade for Johan Santana with Minnesota.
The acquisition of the switch-hitting Swisher creates two interesting scenarios - he could play either first base or center field. The Yankees have been looking for a center fielder who can provide more offense than Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner, but it also gives them an option at first base if they decide not to pursue slugger Mark Teixeira.
The 27-year-old Swisher batted just .219 last season with 86 runs, 21 doubles, 24 homers and 69 RBI in 153 games. He made 69 starts in center field and 47 starts at first base.
The Yankees believe Swisher's poor average was a function of a strained relationship with Chisox manager Ozzie Guillen, major-league sources said.
Swisher was Oakland's first pick, 16th overall, in the 2002 draft and traded by the A's to Chicago last January for lefty Gio Gonzalez, righty Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney. Since 2005, Swisher's 334 walks are tied for third-most in the American League.
Texeira, a 22-year-old native of Maui, was 6-3 with 21 saves and a 1.33 ERA in 51 combined relief appearances in Class A and Double-A last season. He was Chicago's 22nd round pick in 2006 and has a 12-7 record with 40 saves and a 2.24 ERA in 113 minor-league appearances.
Betemit was a spare part for the Yankees and hit .265 with six homers in 87 games. Marquez was 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA at three levels of the minors and missed almost two months with a shoulder strain. Nunez, acquired from Washington at the trade deadline last summer for Alberto Gonzalez, appeared in eight games at Double-A Trenton last year, going 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA.
