Assessing Swisher for Sweeney/Gonzalez/FDLS

by CarneyLansfordFan on Nov 21, 2008 12:46 PM PST Comment 12 comments

The performance of Nick Swisher with Chicago and his sequence of transactions (A's/Sox/Yankees) seems reminiscent of A.J. Pierzynski's time with San Francisco (Twins/Giants/Sox).

I argue that the Pierzynski for Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano, and Boof Bonzer is one of the worst trades in MLB history...it certainly looked more certain before Liriano's arm troubles. Pierzynski's poor showing in SF combined with what the Giants gave up - eventual #1 and #3 starters and a premier closer - could possibly mirror Chicago's experience with Nick Swisher - receing a year's worth of service and eventual relegation to the bench in exchange for #1 and #3 starters and a premiere outfielder (obviously I'm forecasting here).

Poll

Projecting out, how would your rank the A's trade with the Sox (Swisher for Sweeney/Gonzalez/FDLS) in comparison to the Giants trade with the Twins (Nathan/Liriano/Bonzer for Pierzynski)?

A's got a better deal than the Twins

17 votes

A's got approximately the same deal as the Twins

17 votes

A's got a worse deal than the Twins

106 votes

Who cares? What matters most is the Giants were on the losing end of the one of the worst trades in history.

71 votes

211 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

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In a couple years that deal may prove to be very one-sided in the A’s favor, but for now it remains at “good.” The stupidity of the White Sox in this deal is extended in the subsequent trade of Swish to NY when he is still capable of being a very useful player, certainly much more useful than the package they received from the Yankees.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Nov 21, 2008 12:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Swisher for Sweeney, Gio, DLS

was a good trade for the A’s. But it was not highway robbery. Swisher is a very valuable player: an above average hitter (better than Sweeney will ever be in my opinion), and a good defender. Plus he’s signed for the next four years. The A’s get 6 years of an average CF, a good SP prospect, and a lottery ticket who was a very good SP prospect.

The Giants trade was for a reliever coming off a bad year (although he was solid and had good peripherals), a lottery ticket SP prospect, and a guy with an awesome name. The Twins made a good deal that turned great because their lottery ticket hit. The A’s would need DLS to become a MLB SP for the same to happen to this deal. And, I would still argue that Swisher was a lot more valuable than AJ.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Nov 21, 2008 12:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It's going to be a while before we can truly assess this trade,

because DLS still has a chance to come back and be a very good pitcher. He won’t be as young if/when he first emerges onto the scene, but the rebound rate from TJ surgery is strong and he was a fine prospect at 22. He could be a bust who never sees AAA or he could be a #2 starter whose career is delayed two full years but is not any worse than it would have been.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Nov 21, 2008 1:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

or FDLS will be anything in between

'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long

by DyeLongJustice on Nov 21, 2008 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep. None of the three we got are likely to be as good as Liriano has already been

Or as good as Nathan has already been.

This one isn’t even close.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Nov 21, 2008 1:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Swisher was a good trade

But only time will tell if the deal will be as good as the Twins got, of course being dependent on the development of Sweeney, Gio & FDLS. I think Gio & FDLS have tremendous potential to be absolutely amazing & Sweeney quietly had a very nice year IMO.

Swisher had a horribly unlucky year in Chicago, and the fact that they’ve already moved him for a lesser package than they initially gives up automatically makes it a loss for Chicago.

I will change my opinion only if the package the Sox got ends up better than Sweeney, Gio & FLDS, and I highly doubt that.

by BillMoresi on Nov 21, 2008 1:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Just wow.

This deal is no where near the Twins Giants deal. It isn’t even in the same stratosphere. De Los Santos is recovering from Tommy John and is a complete wildcard as to whether he’ll even contribute in the majors. Gio still needs to prove he can be a major league starter and Sweeney looks like a good 4th OF at this point.

by DeJay on Nov 21, 2008 2:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This post sums up my sentiments exactly.

I believe that there is a much shorter way to express this agreement, but I am not certain as to what that is.

by VORP is too nerdy on Nov 21, 2008 9:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the mulder trade would be a better comparison to the pierzynski trade

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 22, 2008 12:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Except for our inability to extract someone with a name like "Boof"

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Nov 22, 2008 9:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sweeney vs Swish

I understand why a lot of people here still think swish is a better hitter, i wouldn’t argue against it because one year doesn’t prove very much. However, i don’t understand why Sweeney is viewed with that “average at best” ceiling here.

It’s common for a lot of people here to refer to him as a good 4th OF. Am i seeing something else? Seems to me he can be a pretty good player and even above average. I understand the reason people still believe Swisher is/will be a good player, and i agree, but i don’t get why it seems everybody here is a pessimist on Sweeney. Seemed to me like the guy was our best all around player last year.

by Dukererer on Nov 22, 2008 9:03 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Strikes out too often to really hit for a high (.320+) average,

doesn’t walk enough to have an elite OBP, and his swing is totally wrong for anyone trying to hit for power. There just isn’t a lot of room there. Last year is about as good as it gets.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Nov 23, 2008 10:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs