Yankees get Nick Swisher, Lose Betemit in Trade With White Sox
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November 13th, 2008
The New York Yankees acquired switch-hitting first baseman-outfielder Nick Swisher and a minor-league pitcher from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Wilson Betemit and two prospects.
Right-handed pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez were sent to Chicago in the trade, while right-hander Kanekoa Texeira joined New York, the Yankees said in a news release.
Swisher, 27, batted .219 with 24 home runs, 69 runs batted in and 86 runs scored last season, making 69 starts in centerfield, 47 at first base, and 11 each in left field and right.
“One of the reasons we were attracted to Nick is that he has the versatility to play left, center, right and first,” Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said on a conference call with reporters. “Currently, first base is open, so it’s easy to plug him in right there.”
Swisher has a .244 career average with 104 homers and 324 RBI since being taken by the Oakland Athletics with the 16th pick in the 2002 draft. He joined the White Sox in a trade last January.
Betemit hit .265 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 87 games for the Yankees last season, starting at all four infield positions.
Texeira, a 22-year-old Hawaiian, was 6-3 with 21 saves and a 1.33 ERA in 51 relief outings with the White Sox’s Single-A and Double-A affiliates.
Major-league players have until tonight to file for free agency, allowing them to negotiate with any of baseball’s 30 franchises starting tomorrow.
Cubs-Marlins Trade
The Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from the Florida Marlins for minor-league pitcher Jose Ceda.
Gregg, 30, was 7-8 with team-high 29 saves and a 3.41 ERA in 72 appearances last season for the Marlins.
It’s the second trade this week by the Marlins, who two days ago sent starting pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham to the Washington Nationals in exchange for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor-leaguers.
Sam Perlozzo, who coached third base for the Seattle Mariners last season, was added to the Philadelphia Phillies’ major-league staff. A specific coaching position has yet to be assigned for the 57-year-old, who will handle infield instruction for the World Series champions.
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