Stolen Swisher

I have to say that I don't know what Kenny Williams was thinking. After giving up two top pitching prospects last year for Nick Swisher, one unlucky season has him send him packing for filler.

The White Sox get:

Wilson Betemit, 26 year-old third-baseman, .265/.289/.429, .324 wOBA, 98 wOBA+. The guy can play a few positions, though none very well. He's got some pop but isn't a particularly good hitter, and his switch-hitting prowess is largely limited to the left side. He has two years left before free agency.

Jeff Marquez, 23 year-old RHP, 4.69 ERA, 3.7 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 1.3 HR/9, 6.67 tRA, 62 tRA+ in Triple-A. He used to get groundballs but that skill hasn't been as prevalent this year. Future likely is in middle relief.

Jhonny Nunez, 22 year-old RHP, pitched out of the pen in Double-A getting K's and showing OK control and out of the rotation at Single-A with 9.1 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, 1.2 HR/9, 4.25 tRA, 116 tRA+. Looks like an alright prospect but nothing too special.

The Yankees get:

Nick Swisher, 27 year-old 1B/OF, .219/.332/.410, 24 HR, .328 wOBA, 94 wOBA+. Versatile switch-hitter had an unlucky season on balls in play (.251 BABIP when it should have been .329) but still showed patience (80 BB) and power (.191 ISO). Can play the outfield corners well enough as well as first-base, and can fill in in center in a pinch. Signed relatively cheaply for three more years ($22 MM).

Kanekoa Texeira, 22 year-old RHRP, 2.01 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 0.8 HR/9, 4.25 tRA, 113 tRA+ in Double-A out of the bullpen. Looks like a solid relief prospect to me.

I find this to be a pretty horrible deal. How many teams wish they could have gotten a potential 30 HR bat for scraps? Nunez might turn out well, but so might Texeira. That the Sox had to add a prospect to the deal is astounding. Melvin Mora (+ cash) and Hayden Penn for Nick Swisher? Yes, please. Seriously, I don't get it. Maybe Swish is done as a player but the low-low price is definitely worth the small-ish risk of that. Stupid Yankees having tons of money and getting discounted players.