A's Trade Nick Swisher to White Sox

[BoSox21]

White Sox acquired outfielder Nick Swisher from the Athletics for LHP Gio Gonzalez, outfielder Ryan Sweeney and RHP Fautino De Los Santos.

 

It's going to be interesting to see how the White Sox try to fit these pieces together. If they're willing to use Swisher in center field, they're improving their lineup immensely with the deal, though it's at a steep cost in the team's top two pitching prospects and the still promising Sweeney. If they're doing it with the idea of using Swisher in left field, leaving no room for Carlos Quentin, then the deal could prove to be a major bust. We're guessing they'll pencil him into center for now but continue to look for alternatives. Either way, Swisher gets a nice upgrade in fantasy value with the switch to the AL's best home run park. He'll be a threat to hit 35-40, especially if the White Sox are smart enough to hit him second.

 

Rotoworld

[Cocos Disciples]

Wow. This was unexpected. I really like Swisher, so my first instinct is the deal favors the White Sox. But as the article reads, there may be a clog in the outfield...very interesting indeed.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Here's what Kevin Goldstein of BP had to say about the three White Sox prospects two months ago:

 

1. Fautino de los Santos, RHP

DOB: 2/15/86

Height/Weight: 6-0/205

Bats/Throws: R/R

Acquired: NDFA, 2005, Dominican Republic

2007 Stats: 2.40 ERA at Low-A (97.2-49-36-121); 3.65 ERA at High-A (24.2-20-7-32)

 

Year In Review: Beginning the year as an obscure Dominican arm in a weak system, de los Santos first blew away the coaching staff in spring training and then was almost literally unhittable in the Sally League, allowing one hit for every two innings pitched.

The Good: Built like a tree trunk, de los Santos gets tremendous drive. His fastball sits at 91-95 mph, touching 98 at times; it also has late movement, and he commands it very well. His breaking pitch is a power curve with hard late bite, and it's a true out pitch when he’s on. He understands the importance of developing an offspeed pitch, and he improved his changeup over the course of the year.

The Bad: De los Santos gets into bad habits at times, and can overthrow all of his pitches, costing him life on his fastball, break on his curve, and decreasing the velocity gap between the heat and his changeup. Some worry that his aggressiveness might work against him when facing more advanced hitters, and that he needs to learn how to set up batters and be more aware of the count, as opposed to challenging hitters with every pitch. If his changeup doesn’t continue to improve, some fear he’ll be limited to a relief role.

Fun Fact: In 18 fifth innings, de los Santos allowed just three hits while striking out 26.

Perfect World Projection: Star-level starter or closer.

Timetable: De los Santos has the highest ceiling of any player in the system, but he’s still at least two years away. He’ll likely begin 2008 at High-A, with an expectation than he could be ready for a look at some point in 2009.

 

2. Gio Gonzalez, LHP

DOB: 9/19/85

Height/Weight: 5-11/185

Bats/Throws: R/L

Draft: 1st round, 2004, Monsignor Pace HS (FL)

2007 Stats: 3.18 ERA at Double-A (150-116-57-185)

 

Year In Review: After a one-year sojourn in Philadelphia, Gonzalez returned to the team that drafted him but then dealt in the Freddy Garcia trade. He pitched much better in his second Double-A season, leading the minor leagues in strikeouts.

The Good: Gonzalez has average velocity (89-91 mph) on his fastball, but he can reach back and touch 93 at times, and it features natural lefty movement, almost looking more like a cutter on occasion. He uses it effectively to get ahead in the count and set up his curveball, which is among the best in the minors. It’s a hard-breaking power pitch that comes in fast, then falls off the table. His changeup is improving, and his control made significant strides from the previous season.

The Bad: Gonzalez’ smallish frame is a concern for some, but he’s proven to be highly durable so far in his career. Some wonder if he’ll need to pitch backwards more in the majors, and worry that he depends too much on the curve at times. Despite the improvements, his control problems still flare up from time to time.

Fun Fact: Monsignor Pace’s most famous alum is actress Catherine Keener, although political commentator Bill O’Reilly taught history at the school for a brief time in the early 1970s.

Perfect World Projection: An above-average left-handed starter.

Timetable: Gonzalez will begin the year at Triple-A, and should see the big leagues at some point in 2008.

 

8. Ryan Sweeney, OF

DOB: 2/20/85

Height/Weight: 6-4/215

Bats/Throws: L/L

Draft: 2nd round, 2003, Xavier HS (IA)

2007 Stats: .270/.348/.398 at Triple-A (105 G); .200/.268/.333 at MLB (15 G)

 

Year In Review: The former first-round pick spent his second year at Triple-A and went backwards. Many believe it’s time to stop talking about projection with him.

The Good: Sweeney is big, athletic, and not without some offensive skills. He has a quick, short stroke, gap power, and a nice feel for contact. He works the count well and doesn’t strikeout often. He’s an average runner who can play center field in a pinch, and his arm is among the best in the system.

The Bad: Always projected to develop power, Sweeney is now stuck as a tweener–-without true center field skills or the power to play everyday in a corner. He’s always struggled against good lefties, and failed to make adjustments in 2007 to address the problem. He played with little energy down the stretch, and did not get a September callup.

Fun Fact: While at Triple-A Charlotte, Sweeney hit .314 while playing center field, but just .234 when penciled into one of the outfield corners.

Perfect World Projection: At this point, it’s hard to see Sweeney as more than a fourth outfielder and occasional starter, though he still has some believers among scouts.

Timetable: While Sweeney has clearly stagnated, it’s hard to see him avoiding a third year at Triple-A without a monster spring training. This next year is absolutely pivotal for him.

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6912

 

The A's got the White Sox' first, second and eighth-best prospects, with the best-known being the eighth-best, for four guaranteed years of Swisher plus an option year. Swisher's contract:

 

08:$3.5M, 09:$5.3M, 10:$6.75M, 11:$9M,

12:$10.25M club option ($1M buyout)

 

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/oakland-athletics.html

 

Look, Swisher is a valuable guy at a very reasonable salary, but he's already a LF-1B who gets put into CF and RF at the cost of several defensive runs allowed. He's really a first baseman, and I understand that the White Sox have a pretty good one. That outfield logjam is for real, and it'll probably lead to Swisher trying his best in CF with mixed results.

 

If the Chicago White Sox don't reach the ALDS in 2008, I say that they lose the trade if any of the three prospects pan out. YMMV.

 

Other thoughts:

 

1) With Chicago in a "Go for it now" mode, Detroit and Cleveland looking very strong, and KC refusing to roll over and give up, the Twins should (and will) trade away Santana. 2008 isn't going to be their year.

 

2) Oakland is going to look good in 2009-2010. They've really restocked their system with the Haren trade and this trade.

 

3) I'd like to congratulate the California Angels for winning the AL West in 2008.

[Cocos Disciples]

3) I'd like to congratulate the California Angels for winning the AL West in 2008.

 

I was going to say that too. The Mariners were a fluke in 2007, the A's traded Haren and Swisher, and the Rangers are the Rangers. The Angels will have that thing wrapped up in July.

[Anuj09]

Blanton and Street next ?

[BoSox21]

Blanton and Street next ?

 

probably Harden

[Cocos Disciples]

Chavez too, makes sense. Really, I wouldn't be surprised at anyone being dealt.

[MDF3530]

This is a boom-or-bust trade for Kenny. If Swisher is any good and my Sox do well in the playoffs, Kenny will look like a genius. If they don't and they guys they traded (I'm PO'd they traded Gio, their top pitching prospect) are any good, Kenny will probably be updating his resume next offseason.

[BoSox21]

the White Sox do have a pretty decent looking offense with the additions of O-Cab and Swisher, especially if Dye picks up where he left off at the end of last year. Their pitching doesn't look great though

[MDF3530]

the White Sox do have a pretty decent looking offense with the additions of O-Cab and Swisher' date=' especially if Dye picks up where he left off at the end of last year. Their pitching doesn't look great though[/quote']I just don't like them trading Gio Gonzalez. What are they going to do for a lefty if Buehrle goes down?

[Jayhawk Bill]

I just don't like them trading Gio Gonzalez. What are they going to do for a lefty if Buehrle goes down?

 

Pardon my asking, but you seem to be the White Sox local rep: What are they going to do if anybody is injured?

 

My perception is that Chicago has traded away its depth for a starting lineup (nine hitters, five starters and a closer) that can come close to matching Detroit's and Cleveland's. It's the only way that they could contend, but I think that they're really gambling that there'll be no big injuries.

[MDF3530]

Pardon my asking, but you seem to be the White Sox local rep: What are they going to do if anybody is injured?

 

My perception is that Chicago has traded away its depth for a starting lineup (nine hitters, five starters and a closer) that can come close to matching Detroit's and Cleveland's. It's the only way that they could contend, but I think that they're really gambling that there'll be no big injuries.

They're sunk, particularly pitching-wise, if they have any injuries. The guys they have left in the minors are career minor leaguers like Brett Prinz and Dewon Day. There's a reason why they've spent most of their careers in the minors: they're bad.

[MDF3530]

Also, they wouldn't have needed to get Swisher if Kenny and Ozzie Guillen would be willing enough to give Brian Anderson another chance. They're just too pigheaded to do it.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Also' date=' they wouldn't have needed to get Swisher if Kenny and Ozzie Guillen would be willing enough to give Brian Anderson another chance. They're just too pigheaded to do it.[/quote']

 

Not so fast...apparently Konerko is on the trading block, which would bring Swisher to first base. The Angels are apparently willing to part with Ervin Santana and Howie Kendrick, while the White Sox want Chone Figgins added to that package.

 

Chicago Tribune link:

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/cs-080105chicagowhitesoxpaulkonerkoanaheimangels,1,7077757.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

LA Daily Breeze link:

 

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ci_7886756

 

I'm thinking that Chicago wants no rumors out regarding Konerko unless and until a deal is sealed, and that they're willing/wanting to throw another infielder into the package--possibly Joe Crede--to get Figgins,too, as their third baseman/leadoff hitter. MLB.com believes that it's that it's a two-for-one with Figgins, Kendrick and Santana all being discussed.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080105&content_id=2339984&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp

[riverside sluggers]

They havent done anything to improve the torrid pitching staff of last season. The offense will be good but not enough to carry them in the AL Central

[CrespoBlows]

Main Entry: tor·rid

Pronunciation: \ˈtȯr-əd, ˈtär-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin torridus, from torrēre

Date: 1545

1 a: parched with heat especially of the sun : hot b: giving off intense heat : scorching

2: ardent passionate

— tor·rid·i·ty \tȯ-ˈri-də-tē\ noun

— tor·rid·ly \ˈtȯr-əd-lē, ˈtär-\ adverb

— tor·rid·ness noun

 

?

[Cocos Disciples]

Maybe he meant horrid?