No one is better at getting quality players for bubkus than Brian Cashman.
Just yesterday, the General Manager of the New York Yankees worked his magic again and acquired Chicago White Sox Outfielder/First Baseman Nick Swisher for utlity man Wilson Betemit, and minor league pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. Consider that two years ago, Swisher was considered a potential All-Star and was acquired by the White Sox for top prospects Pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Outfielder Ryan Sweeney. Now, the Yankees are acquiring his services for spare parts.
Although Swisher only hit .219 last season, he has a lifetime .354 On-Base Percentage and hit 35 Home Runs with 95 Runs Batted In as recently as 2006. Swisher is a switch-hitter and one of Billy Bean’s original Moneyball players. He can also offer flexibility, as he has the ability to play both first base and outfield. And, Swisher is only 29 years of age, meaning that he is entering his prime.
Swisher is only earning $3.6 million in 2009, meaning that he is a bargain compared to the gigantic contracts expected to be shelled out for free agents like Mark Teixera. Tex is likely to command a salary in the range of $15-20 million per season. Is Tex 5 or 6 times better than Swisher? Absolutely not. Swisher still has plenty of upside and should be a great asset for the Yankees. Considering that the Yanks only had to give up a reserve infielder and some buffer propsects, Cashman should be commended.
This is not the first time that Cashman has taken another team’s quality player and only returned bubkus. In 2006, Cashman stole Rightfielder Bobby Abreu from the Philadelphia Phillies for prospects C.J. Henry and Matt Smith. Have you ever heard of either player? Exactly. And, Corey Lidle was a throw-in to that deal as well! In the meantime, Abreu has played solid right field and hit .296 last season with 20 home runs and 100 Runs Batted In.
How about in 2000, when Cashman traded Zach Day, Jake Westbrook, and Ricky Ledee for slugger David Justice? Or how about when Cashman traded Scott Wiggins in 2002 for former All-Star Raul Mondesi? Simply incredible!
While Cashman has certainly made his gaffes in the free agent market (see Pitchers Carl Pavano, Sterling Hitchcock, and Kei Igawa), his trading ability has been superb. Add Swisher to the long list of Cashman steals.
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