A lot has changed in the 2.5 months since the White Sox dealt away Nick Swisher. The entire scope of economics in the game and player value has been completely flipped...

 

First, let's look over Swisher's contract, which at the time we acquired him seemed like a bargain. Numbers are from mlb4u.

 

Nick Swisher's Contract

 

2009: $5.3 million

2010: $6.75 million

2011: $9 million (limited No-Trade clause 6 teams)

2012: $10.25 million (limited No-Trade clause 6 teams), $1 million buyout.

 

 

Wow. Don't those numbers look a bit different now? Orlando Hudson and Bobby Abreu make less than Swisher this year alone.

 

Now let's look we received in return for the pink-bearded one, simply from the perspective of filling holes on our roster.

 

Marquez: I know it's spring, but the kid does look like he has a big-league future at least close to what was originally projected.

Betemit: At worst its obvious he's going to be a decent utility player who can crush right-handed hitting. Vs. lefties, pretty useless, but the guy brings a legitimate bat that pitchers have to at least worry about a bit.

Nunez: Future reliever maybe, not really a big deal at this point.

 

Combined 2009 salaries

$1.3 million + league minimum if Marquez makes the big club.

 

 

Conclusion

This might be one of the best trades of Kenny Williams' career. It was well-known that the White Sox were planning ahead heading into this economic crisis, and they were setting themselves up for things to change in a big way. If Kenny doesn't trade Swisher, he'd be pretty much untradeable right now, with an albatross of a contract in his future.

 

Instead, the White Sox got a guy in Marquez who will be the first man called upon once the inevitable Bartolo Colon strained fat DL stint is upon us, a guy in Betemit who will get a ton of at-bats against right handers, and a piece for the farm in Nunez. Meanwhile, the Yankees have the big question mark of Nick Swisher. Sure, Swish could do well, but regardless, prices himself out of his worth, in my opinion. The landscape of MLB has changed, and KW having the vision to get rid of Swish, let alone get anything in return, was one of the savviest moves I've ever seen.

Edited March 6, 200917 yr by Steve9347

FWIW, Nunez looks like Dotel 2.0 out there. Very similar delivery.

Holy cow. i had no idea he was scheduled to make 10+ mill in 2012. DANG!

 

I liked the trade at the time and i still do. Nick was a man without a position her.

The question really becomes, do you believe the package we sent to Oakland is better than the package we got from the Yankees?

The question really becomes, do you believe the package we sent to Oakland is better than the package we got from the Yankees?

Possibly. Ryan Sweeney would be our starting CF'er right now.

Possibly. Ryan Sweeney would be our starting CF'er right now.

I think Marquez will wind up being the best of all the players involved in Swisher trades the last two years.

The question really becomes, do you believe the package we sent to Oakland is better than the package we got from the Yankees?

In terms of "total trade value now" if you offered up the exact same package, Gio + Sweeney would probably outweight Betemit + Nunez + Marquez.

 

But, Marquez was only available because of injury. In a couple weeks, if Marquez is performing like he currently is...that will switch around rapidly.

In terms of "total trade value now" if you offered up the exact same package, Gio + Sweeney would probably outweight Betemit + Nunez + Marquez.

 

But, Marquez was only available because of injury. In a couple weeks, if Marquez is performing like he currently is...that will switch around rapidly.

 

Yes, but that is a part of making a trade. You could also say that Kenny wouldn't have gotten Gavin Floyd if his head was clear. For whatever reason he was out there, Marquez was available.

Yes, but that is a part of making a trade. You could also say that Kenny wouldn't have gotten Gavin Floyd if his head was clear. For whatever reason he was out there, Marquez was available.

Ok, in terms of "Raw overall value to the rest of the league at the time of the deal" KW gave up more to get Swisher than he got back.

 

But if Marquez keeps up pitching the way he currently is, then if you view the trade "In hindsight" I'll give us the win given DLS's injury problems and Swisher's, um, issues.

I in no way agree with him but Murph dubbed it the best Chicago trade of the last 10 years.

I in no way agree with him but Murph dubbed it the best Chicago trade of the last 10 years.

Jose Contreras then ran up to him and kicked him. Repeatedly. Then he insisted his ankle was still fine and ran away.

Jose Contreras then ran up to him and kicked him. Repeatedly. Then he insisted his ankle was still fine and ran away.

 

Um, as much as I hate it, the Aramis/Lofton trade for crap was the best trade in last 10 years. Aramis is going to end up with HOF numbers if he plays another 8 seasons or so.

Ryan Sweeney would be our starting CF'er right now.

Possibly, but he's not exactly lighting up Oakland. He's basically a singles hitter.

Um, as much as I hate it, the Aramis/Lofton trade for crap was the best trade in last 10 years. Aramis is going to end up with HOF numbers if he plays another 8 seasons or so.

I dunno, if things continue progressing, getting John Danks for Brandon McCarthy is right up there...

 

Then there's Mark Bell in a three-way deal landing Marty Havlat.

Agreed, you have to wonder if McCarthy's going to always have injury issues.

Agreed, you have to wonder if McCarthy's going to always have injury issues.

It's gotten so bad for Brandon that he's begun changing his repertoire in an attempt to stay healthy. He's ditched his curve in favor of a slider.

It's gotten so bad for Brandon that he's begun changing his repertoire in an attempt to stay healthy. He's ditched his curve in favor of a slider.

 

Isn't he hurt already this ST?

Isn't he hurt already this ST?

I saw something about him on the MLBTV bottom line.

Isn't he hurt already this ST?

Arm again right? I guess that whipping action was actually bad for him.

Brandon's delivery reminded me so much of another oft-injured Sox right hander known as Mike MacDougal.

Isn't he hurt already this ST?

It's not supposed to be serious but he missed a start.

Um, as much as I hate it, the Aramis/Lofton trade for crap was the best trade in last 10 years. Aramis is going to end up with HOF numbers if he plays another 8 seasons or so.

 

 

I don't know... salary dumps are pretty easy deals to make when you're one of the few contending teams with salary space and a team like the Pirates is desperate.

 

That deal was a no brainer.

I think Marquez will wind up being the best of all the players involved in Swisher trades the last two years.

 

This.

I don't know... salary dumps are pretty easy deals to make when you're one of the few contending teams with salary space and a team like the Pirates is desperate.

 

That deal was a no brainer.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the deal. Getting Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton and CASH for Jose Hernandez, Matt Bruback (never made it to the majors) and Bobby Hill is just ridiculous value. You make it sound like any team with some money to spend could have made that deal, well of the teams with the necessary resources the Cubs pulled it off.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the deal. Getting Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton and CASH for Jose Hernandez, Matt Bruback (never made it to the majors) and Bobby Hill is just ridiculous value. You make it sound like any team with some money to spend could have made that deal, well of the teams with the necessary resources the Cubs pulled it off.

 

Sure it's ridiculous value, but it was still a no brainer. Ramirez was a guy who already had hit .300 with 30 homers at 23 years old.

 

What GM wouldn't have made that trade if they had the same resources Hendry works with? Was there another team even competing for Ramirez.