The Yankees’ acquisition of Curtis Granderson yesterday obviously affects their other outfielders and free agents Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui. ESPN’s Buster Olney says that if the Yanks re-sign Damon, they’re more likely to trade Nick Swisher. He finds it “increasingly unlikely” that they re-sign Matsui, whether or not Damon returns. Olney doesn’t mention it, but we also have to consider the possibility Melky Cabrera is dealt. Damon, for his part, still thinks there’s a window for him to return (talking to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times).
Trade Nick Swisher? I’m calling BS on Buster Olney here. Swisher was a very productive right fielder this season, is under contract for two more years, and the Yankees have no obvious replacement for him. Melky Cabrera would be a huge downgrade, Johnny Damon can’t throw in left field, and Curtis Granderson will play center.
Nick Swisher is also probably still underrated throughout the league. his .249 batting average obscures his value, and at the very least would not be a sell-high candidate. Therefore, the only reason to trade him would be as part of a mega-deal for someone else. The Yankees aren’t selling him for prospects. They aren’t dumping payroll. Sure, maybe the Blue Jays are mildly interested in Nick Swisher, but do you really think they want him in a Roy Halladay deal?
Tim Dierkes definitely has it right when he says that Melky Cabrera is the more likely player to be traded.
Sorry Buster, but I’m not buying it. You might want to find another source or two.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
18 Responses to Buster Olney: Yankees May Trade Nick Swisher
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
Buster’s trade rumors are always far off
Yeah, him and others making stuff up to keep the words flowing.
I can see a couple more trades but not for Swish. He’s a chemistry guy, keeping it loose, a fun guy to play with. Plus, he aint too bad, versatile OF, switch hitter with patience and power and all.
Very extremely excellent name Peter by the way.
NOISE as Cashman said Yesterday,all NOISE.
I doubt it, who would take him anyway.Isn’t his contract back-ended?
Still reasonable- 6.75 and 9 million the next 2 yrs. He provides a lot more value than that.
I would argue that a sub .250 hitter who is a poor to average fielder, known for mental blunders on the basepaths and 25 HR’s is not worth that kind of money after this season.
He fits in best with yankees but no way they would sign him to a 3 year deal for 25 million going forward.He’s too erratic though i like him a lot.
JMHO.
I think coming off this year he would get 3 years 25 million on the open market easily. In fact, the Red Sox would probably be forst in line.
Besides who cares what is batting average is that isn’t where he makes his money!
I would say a guy who had a .371 OBP with 29 HRs is worth quite a bit of money and he is an average to above average right fielder who makes an occasional easy play look hard.
I agree that this report on trading Swisher is complete BS.
Besides the fact that it doesn’t make sense to a champion looking to repeat, I recall a moment in the Yankee clubhouse during the champagne party.
A reporter was interviewing a drenched Cashman, and cashman suddenly looks off camera, his eyes brighten, and he tells the reporter, “Now here’s a guy who came over here this year, and just kicked some a##!” The camera turned and there was a drenched Swisher, and he starts talking to the reporter.
I remember this because (a)-I never saw Cashman say anything like that before, and (b)- I said to myself, I guess Cashman likes Swisher, if he can joke around with him like that, on national tv (or mlb), so i guess Swisher will be here for a while (unless he tanks–in such circumstances, nobody will remember how they felt at a champagne celebration.
net result–Swisher seems to be in tight with Cashman. (why not, he made Cashman look good in a trade).
Swisher isn’t going ANYWHERE next year, but the Yankee outfield.
Also, for a split second, when Cashman said the statement, and before the camera showed Swisher, my mind thought–is it CC or AJ or Tex? I was surprised that it was Swisher that Cashman was refering his compliment to.
Some reporters are under pressure to keep coming up with fodder to keep their well paying, fun jobs. Occaisonally, they come up with BS, that close, long time fans of a team, immediately recognize as BS.
Cool story. I don’t remember Cashman saying that, but it must have been pretty awesome. He’s not exactly an emotional guy in public.
Thanks. It was a joking side of Cashman that i never saw before, so it took me aside a little. He always seems to be under control and a little guarded under a camera.
You know, it made me like him a little more, too.
It was sorta like the little guy joking with the big jock.
Swisher? What an overrated redneck! This guy choked like a chicken in the headlights during the post-season. And, it was truly obnoxious watching this pudgy little tobacco chewer trying to make like Derek Jeter – flashing around town with a New York model. Give us a break.
Put Swisher back on the farm in Cincinnati or some such place. ALL YANKEE FANS would have loved to see Shelly “the machine” Duncan in Right rather than pudgy Swisher. Duncan would have hit at least 5 homers in the post season….and probably more. Plus, Duncan plays with heart – and was really a “true Yankee”.
Leave it to Brian “brain-dead” Cashman to let a fan favorite Shelly Duncan look for work on another team. The Yankees never gave him the chance that he deserved.
Shisher lucked out by the injury to the starter – and hit homers….which anyone can do in our “band-box”.
This is a joke, right? Tongue in cheek?
I don’t think so Moshe…
He went on about Cashman, Swisher and Shelly in another of TYU’s blogs. He may be very serious about it…who knows!?!?!
I love how anyone can hit HRs in our bandbox but most of Swisher’s HRs came on the road!
You are right Chris – about Swish hitting homers on the road. I stand corrected. However, in a way, that just makes my point. With his lefthanded bat – Swish SHOULD HAVE hit homer after homer in our “bandbox”. But, he didn’t.
I would respectfully submit that he didn’t hit homers in the “bandbox” because he CHOKES in front of the home crowd. Too much pressure. Too big a spotlight. (like so many others who couldn’t really perform under the glare of Broadway).
Swish is a somewhat likeable character. But, I’m sick to death of Michael Kay’s talkin’ him up about his “loosening up” the club-house. Heck – back in the Bronx Zoo days…the players were at each others throats….but, they were even more clutch (with less talent?) than today’s group.
In the end…Swish was a decent enough role player. But, shouldn’t the fans have gotten the right to see “their favorite” minor leaguer – the veteran power masher….Shelly “the machine” Duncan…..instead of the pudgy pansy-ass choker/redneck who disappeared in the post season? Of course. But, now Shelly’s gone…..and did you see the look on Shelly’s face (in the papers), when he announced he was pulling out of New York to find steady work? Shelly looked like he could cry a bucket full. Any true Yankee fan got hit in the gut – just looking at that picture of Duncan announcing his departure. His face said it all….he was heartbroken……every bit as much as Billy Martin was when he was (unforgivably) traded away. (Mick’s and Whitey’s) heart’s were broken as well.
Jerry Kenney…simply you are an imbicile who has his own private set of crayons. Your childish is logic is both maddening yet intriguing. maddening to the sense that I would assert communicationg with you in too lenghty a fashion would begin to initiate Alzheimers in the recipient; Yet intriguing, in the sense of how you would be a great case study for the importance of an education.
Swisher: Great Common-Joe Club house guy in a locker room filled with Stars and Egos….exactly what Yankees needed to help them mesh as a team. A threat to tear the cover off the ball, with an eye to take many walks. Will strike out, but last time I checked you don’t hit the ball over the fence unless you swing hard. Plays a solid Right Field, not the fastest, but solid and smart. Note his play in the Play-offs such as throwing behing runners and catching em’ off base after they rounded bag too far. Also, Swisher has very solid Arm in the field and is in his 20′s at a very reasonable “Yankee Salary.”
Simply Put…Yankees won World Series…Enjoy it and grow up. Unless of course, you closet Red Sox Fan in which case then you can blow it out A-hole.