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.
I thought you would have been happy getting Swisher seeing as he is a threat to hit 30-40 if he has his swing in place.
ReplyDeleteDo you guys have any real power-hitters besides Konerko?
Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye are the other power hitters. A.J. Pierzynski is usually a mid-range threat. Josh Fields is primed to be a power hitter when Joe Crede is dealt.
ReplyDeleteFor the White Sox to be successful, they need speed and defense mixed in with a good bullpen, in addition to the power hitting.
The White Sox are still lacking a speedy centerfielder, a leadoff man and a few good arms in middle relief.
My hope is that Nick Swisher will be a player like Aaron Rowand was for the clubhouse. A vocal guy who gets the players motivated and who isn't afraid to put his body on the line to make a play. From what I've heard Nick is this kind of guy. I just hope he bring a better bat than Rowand does most years. Nick is a good OBP guy, so that helps.