Swisher to Sox

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

A good move for the other Sox. Free from the anemic offense of the A's and offense killing stadium in Oakland, Swisher should be a .275 35 105 guy with close to a .400 OBP in Chicago. He strikes out a lot but also walks a ton too. I guess they are thinking of playing him in center where he would be considered average as opposed to a corner where he would be a top defender. I guess if Owens develops, he can take over in center and they can move Swisher around. He can also play 1st which is where he will probably eventually land when Thome retires and Konerko moves to DH. The guy is yong, proven and can handle the Chicago media pressure. They gave up Sweeney and 2 good pitching prospects to get him but he is a hundred times better than Juan Pierre or Posedineck. Plus he is signed through 2011 which is a big plus.

Only problem is Ryan Sweeney is going to be just slightly below a monster in 1-2 years and Gio Gonzales should win 15 a year for many years. Sox had to do something, but god...Swisher stole 4 bases LY and he's going to lead off?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by GBBob

Only problem is Ryan Sweeney is going to be just slightly below a monster in 1-2 years and Gio Gonzales should win 15 a year for many years. Sox had to do something, but god...Swisher stole 4 bases LY and he's going to lead off?

Your projections of Sweeney are pretty optimistic. Gio is a small double A pitcher who may or may not make the jump. De Los Santos is interesting but has been dominating at A level at 21 against mostly 18 year olds.

Stealing bases is of much less importance when you have hitters like Dye, Konerko and Thome hitting behind you. If you get on base enough, which he does, you will wind up jogging home a lot. They are going to be a power team, as they should be in that park and in that division. He hit #2 a lot in Oakland plus he is a switch hitter. I would rather have a 27 year old guy with 40 hr and .400 OBP potential than hope that Sweeney comes around and the prospects make it.

[satan's twin]

Originally Posted by GBBob

Only problem is Ryan Sweeney is going to be just slightly below a monster in 1-2 years and Gio Gonzales should win 15 a year for many years. Sox had to do something, but god...Swisher stole 4 bases LY and he's going to lead off?

This is a nice trade for the Sox. Sweeney and Gonzales may or may not happen, but no time soon. Swisher is a demonstrative, aggressive player who is fun to watch for the home team and a pain in the ass (typical knock on all Ohio State guys?) for the other team. Last year's way too many, 'too-painful-to watch' solo homers just became two and three run shots with this guy, especially in the spring when the weather is horsesh*t and everyone is first-ball swinging. With a little bit of luck, Swisher will come close to a .400 OBP. At the top of this lineup in front of Thome, Konerko and Dye, that's huge. And, THIS guy will be the spokesman for the team and probably, its most popular player. If Ozzie keeps him in left where he belongs and out of center field, Swisher could be there for years.

[declansharbor]

I watched the blood drain from my coworkers face today when I told him of the move. He's an Athletics fan. He didnt believe me, he thought I was selling wolf tickets. I needed a third party to confer for him to believe me.
Great move by the White Sox, to bring in a stick that will hit at least .270 and over 20 dingers.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by satan's twin

This is a nice trade for the Sox. Sweeney and Gonzales may or may not happen, but no time soon. Swisher is a demonstrative, aggressive player who is fun to watch for the home team and a pain in the ass (typical knock on all Ohio State guys?) for the other team. Last year's way too many, 'too-painful-to watch' solo homers just became two and three run shots with this guy, especially in the spring when the weather is horsesh*t and everyone is first-ball swinging. With a little bit of luck, Swisher will come close to a .400 OBP. At the top of this lineup in front of Thome, Konerko and Dye, that's huge. And, THIS guy will be the spokesman for the team and probably, its most popular player. If Ozzie keeps him in left where he belongs and out of center field, Swisher could be there for years.

And he has nice hair

[JJP]

I heard the Baseball America guys on the radio today and they said the Sox gave up their top two pitching prospects. Billy Beane doesn't make too many bad deals. Swisher will get his walks and hit an occasional homer but will be a liability in center. This one will take a few years to evaluate. Probably won't matter as they won't come close to either the Tigers or Indians.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by JJP

I heard the Baseball America guys on the radio today and they said the Sox gave up their top two pitching prospects. Billy Beane doesn't make too many bad deals. Swisher will get his walks and hit an occasional homer but will be a liability in center. This one will take a few years to evaluate. Probably won't matter as they won't come close to either the Tigers or Indians.

They may have been their top 2 prospects but that doesn't mean they are really good. Beane seems to be in complete dump mode, reloading for a run in 2010. I think Swisher fits really well in that lineup in that park. Though I agree he is a little suspect as an everyday centerfielder.

Of course maybe Beane thinks that Swisher is a PED guy who regressed a bit last year without them and figured he would cash in now? Just interesting he would trade a guy with lots of upside who is tied up in a good contract.

[JJP]

From what I understand, Beane wasn't looking to trade Swisher but Williams approached him and made him what he felt was a solid offer.

The Sox figure to get the better of this for 2008 but IMO, going from World Series winner, to just missing the playoffs, then to 72 wins shows the team is in a serious slide and should rebuild. This isn't going to help a team that is probably a few years away.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by JJP

From what I understand, Beane wasn't looking to trade Swisher but Williams approached him and made him what he felt was a solid offer.

The Sox figure to get the better of this for 2008 but IMO, going from World Series winner, to just missing the playoffs, then to 72 wins shows the team is in a serious slide and should rebuild. This isn't going to help a team that is probably a few years away.

Swisher is 26, he should be around for a while. I do agree that they were really bad, and old last year. I wouldn't be shocked if they move or try to move Dye, Konerko, and/or Thome at the deadline if they drop out of it. But for some reason I think they will be better than we are giving them credit for. Of course I thought the Mets would win the World Series last winter and we all know how well that worked out.