Farewell Dirty 30

I've been out window shopping for a new computer today, so I couldn't post this when it first broke. I did hear it in the car and wanted to instantly race home.

The Chicago White Sox have acquired infielder Wilson Betemit and right-handed pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez from the New York Yankees in exchange for infielder/outfielder Nick Swisher and right-handed pitcher Kanekoa Texeira.

Betemit, 27, played in 87 games with the Yankees in 2008, hitting .265 (50-189) with six home runs and 25 RBI. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound switch-hitter batted .274 (40-146) with four homers and 21 RBI from the left side of the plate. He played in 36 games at first base, 14 at shortstop, nine at third, three at second and one in the outfield.

It's interesting that the White Sox would trade Swisher now. They gave up a ton of talent to get him and now trade him for less value. I am assuming that this is the first step in some radical new direction. This opens up a spot in center field, where potentially, a nice speedy leadoff hitter could be obtained.

I will miss Swisher on the South Side. He and A.J. were the two batters that kept things afloat early in the 2008 season. Luck was almost never on Swisher's side though. I can't remember any other hitter who has had so many good hits line right into some fielder's glove. Maybe Nick's luck will turn around in New York.

It wasn't all sunshine and roses. Swisher put on quite a pouting display during the last month or two of the season. This probably made the difference between sticking with him and his expandability. When you are slumping bad, if you can still infuse energy into the dugout, you are still useful. Nick kind of pooped out after his playing time diminished.

To Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez... welcome. If you stick, you'll love it on the South Side.

Swisher Celebrates By Himself

Nick Swisher celebrated his 100th career home run yesterday. I never thought I'd actually see a one person in the air hip bump, but here it is. I've been looking for video of this since yesterday's game. Thanks to Palehosed and Sox Machine for the heads up.

Bittersweet?

I'm not bitter about Nick Swisher at all. I'm just finding it a bit difficult to understand some of the moves by the White Sox this off-season. They seem to be stockpiling certain positions. I can only react to each present move without knowing what lies ahead.

I really like Nick Swisher. He should be good for 20+ home runs a year. I just wonder where he will play. Does that make Carlos Quentin a backup outfielder, a center fielder or somewhere in the minors? Then again, White Sox Pride blog says that Nick plays all three outfield positions.

At least Josh Fields is out of the left field mix. He will be strictly at third base. But will it be on the Sox or in the minors? It depends on what happens with Joe Crede. I expect Crede to be dealt sometime in Spring Training after he proves that he's healed from back surgery.

Then there's the signing of Alexei Ramirez. He was signed for center field, but he's a natural second baseman. He will likely be the second baseman when he's major league ready. He put up decent enough numbers, but in a Cuban league that resembles single A ball. I don't think that Alexei will break with the team on Opening Day. I could be wrong and I hope I am.

I'm still waiting for the White Sox to sign or trade for a natural center fielder. That is still their big gaping hole this off-season. Maybe one of these moves will be trade bait for a center fielder. Only time will tell.

As for the prospects the White Sox sent over to Oakland, yes I was very high on all of them. That's what makes this trade a little tough to swallow. I think the Sox should've kept Ryan Sweeney and included Brian Anderson instead. I've liked Sweeney since he first came up with the Sox. Gio Gonzalez seems to be the White Sox yo-yo. For someone so high on the list of Sox prospects, you'd think that they would hold on to him rather than trade him away then bring him back.

Fautino De Los Santos was supposed to be untouchable unless it was for a bonafide superstar. Nick is good, but he's not at the superstar level. The White Sox just traded away three of their top five ranked prospects for Nick Swisher. It does take a little time to get used to that.

I understand baseball is a business and you shouldn't get too attached to young players. Being a business, the White Sox want to look out for their best interests too. I just hope that the White Sox interests don't all end up on other teams. The way it looks right now, the Sox have gutted their farm system. I hope that's not the case.

A Swish Or A Miss?

Nick Swisher is the newest member of the Chicago White Sox. He's hit in the mid-.250's and finally made 100 walks in a season in 2007. The last two seasons he has had 141 hits in each. Nick looks like he's constantly improving and looks to be on the upswing still.

The Oakland A's acquired Ryan Sweeney, Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos. A major league ready outfielder, a pitcher almost ready for the rotation and a superstar pitcher of the future, as some are touting De Los Santos to be.

My only question is why? I have nothing against Nick. He's a great player in my opinion. What will his role be on the White Sox? Nick is primarily a first baseman. We've got two in Konerko and Thome. The both play there very well. He's also played a lot of left field. We've got at least one of those in Carlos Quentin. Or did I not understand the trade for him? First basemen usually do not make good center fielders. I could be wrong about that. Carlos Quentin was said not to be an option for center field. So, I'm at a loss here. The White Sox are mentioning on their site that Nick is an outfielder. Notice the lack of emphasis on which position in the outfield.

Anyhoo, welcome to the White Sox, Nick. You'll love it here, once they figure out a place for you and the other left fielder.