The chain reaction of Mark Teixeira's big contract may create a ripple effect in the Yankees' outfield, where Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher may be sent to a new destination in advance of Spring Training.Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports the same thing:While both players may be available for discussion, a baseball source indicated Thursday that the Yankees may be more inclined to deal Nady than Swisher, citing the difference in the players' respective contracts.
Nady is one of three remaining Yankees eligible for salary arbitration -- reliever Brian Bruney and outfielder Melky Cabrera are the others -- and will be due a raise over the $3.35 million he earned last season while splitting his campaign with the Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.
I've been told by a good source that Yankees GM Brian Cashman wants to keep Swisher to replace Bobby Abreu in right field and deal Nady, who becomes a free agent after the 2009 season.I still don't think they should trade either of these guys. Having too much talent IS NOT a bad thing. Keeping them both will also give Joe Girardi the roster flexibility to keep everyone rested while keeping a solid team on the field.
If they have to trade one of these guys - which they don't - I guess trading Nady makes a little more sense. He'll be easier to trade and they can probably bring back a little more for him in a trade, and they have Swisher locked up for a few years. Plus, Swisher is a little more versatile and he's a switch-hitter.
12 Comments:
Greg,
Can you tell me what the Yankees could get in return (i.e. back-of-rotation guy + mid-level prospect, etc.) for Swisher? How about for Nady?
Thanks,
MP
I'm assuming they'll look for pitching regardless of who they trade. Maybe a relief pitcher or some mid-level prospects. Nothing to high-end.
They can't get anything, the market is flooded with outfielders.
That's why I don't think they'll get much. There's really nothing special about mid-level prospects.
I say get a prospect shortstop or pitchers.
Its not worth trading Nady. You never know how healthy Matsui will be this upcoming year. I wouldn't count on Hideki being healty for the entire year.
You make it sound like Matsui is made of glass. He's had only 2 bad years, 06 with the wrist and 08 with his knees. Every other year he played over 140 games (and he still managed to play in over 80 last year). The man is the epitome of the word reliable.
nady>>>>>>>>>swisher
I don't think the Yankees need to make a trade. Like you said in an earlier post Greg, since when having too much power is a bad thing?
Nady vs. Swisher isn't a landslide in favor of Nady. Not by any means.
Swisher has a career 112 OPS+, Nady 108. Swisher is 28, Nady is 30. At the very least there's a debate there. Swisher has more power, gets on base more, and is 2 years younger.
I'd trade Nady for the best position prospect available. If they have to add another asset in the deal, do it.
Keep 'em both.
Mike
Post a Comment