Ken Davidoff of Newsday has reported that the New York Yankees are looking to move either Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher, and are leaning more towards trading Nady. Nady, who hit 12 homeruns and drove in 40 runs in 59 games for the Yankees (25 homeruns, 97 RBIs, .305 average, and a .510 Slugging % in 148 games in 2008), was acquired, along with Relief Pitcher Dámaso Marté by New York in a July 2008 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In return, the Yankees shipped off Jose Tabata, Russ Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens and Dan McCutchen. Nick Swisher came to the Yankees via a trade with the Chicago White Sox, where New York sent Wilson Betemit and two high-level prospects back. Swisher hit 24 homeruns and 69 RBIs with a .332 on-base percentage, in 2007.
I am surprised that Nady is even involved in trade talks. He is a consistent player; hitting for average and has the ability to hit homeruns. He is a proven major league outfielder and a proven performer in New York, which is evidenced by the second half of 2008 and half of 2006 when he was with the Mets. In addition, he was obtained at a relatively low price.
Swisher, on the other hand, has never hit for average; something the Yankees do not need in their lineup one year removed from missing the playoffs. Although he is a utility man, the Yankees can fill that void with several promising players. Alberto Gonzalez and Cody Ransom are capable of playing every position in the infield, and a fourth outfielder, whether it be Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera or another, can fill a backup corner outfield spot.
Sources indicate that New York is talking to the Reds about a possible trade. I would be ecstatic if they could get either Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang; two above average starting pitchers who are coming off of disappointing years. Arroyo went 15-11 with a 4.77 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.
Harang, who would appear to be more of a letdown than Arroyo, had a record of 6-17, with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. While a pitchers record could be misleading, most baseball analysts will look at that first, along with ERA. Therefore, I would not put a massive amount of stake in his record and attribute it to a down year. In 2007, Harang had a much better season; the ideal year for a #2 starter in the National League. Throughout his entire career in Cincinnati, Harang has put up the numbers of a typical NL #2 or #3 starter. That's why he would be the perfect fit as the #5 starter for the Yankees.
New York needs another pitcher for the end of the rotation. Phil Hughes is still unproven, Darrell Rasner is off to Japan, Dan Giese is a great long reliever, and Joba Chamberlain is a relief pitcher. Oh yeah. Ian Kennedy and Kei Igawa. Enough said.
I think Swisher can cause this deal to happen just on name and potential alone, but New York is a win now team, and they need another starting pitcher. They have a prime opportunity to make that happen with the Reds.
In sort of a sidenote, the Yankees should try and get Micah Owings in a deal with the Reds as well. He started off extremely strong with Arizona and fell off dramatically. His demise resulted in a trip to Cincinnati's farm system.
With all that said, there is only one way I would trade Xavier Nady. The Yankees would have to sign Manny Ramirez. (I almost exploded when I thought of the Yankees lineup with Manny.) Barring that, which is not likely to happen, especially when New York is trying to lower their payroll, Xavier Nady is too valuable to this lineup to let go. I'm still wondering why they let Bobby Abreu go.
I am surprised that Nady is even involved in trade talks. He is a consistent player; hitting for average and has the ability to hit homeruns. He is a proven major league outfielder and a proven performer in New York, which is evidenced by the second half of 2008 and half of 2006 when he was with the Mets. In addition, he was obtained at a relatively low price.
Swisher, on the other hand, has never hit for average; something the Yankees do not need in their lineup one year removed from missing the playoffs. Although he is a utility man, the Yankees can fill that void with several promising players. Alberto Gonzalez and Cody Ransom are capable of playing every position in the infield, and a fourth outfielder, whether it be Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera or another, can fill a backup corner outfield spot.
Sources indicate that New York is talking to the Reds about a possible trade. I would be ecstatic if they could get either Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang; two above average starting pitchers who are coming off of disappointing years. Arroyo went 15-11 with a 4.77 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP.
Harang, who would appear to be more of a letdown than Arroyo, had a record of 6-17, with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. While a pitchers record could be misleading, most baseball analysts will look at that first, along with ERA. Therefore, I would not put a massive amount of stake in his record and attribute it to a down year. In 2007, Harang had a much better season; the ideal year for a #2 starter in the National League. Throughout his entire career in Cincinnati, Harang has put up the numbers of a typical NL #2 or #3 starter. That's why he would be the perfect fit as the #5 starter for the Yankees.
New York needs another pitcher for the end of the rotation. Phil Hughes is still unproven, Darrell Rasner is off to Japan, Dan Giese is a great long reliever, and Joba Chamberlain is a relief pitcher. Oh yeah. Ian Kennedy and Kei Igawa. Enough said.
I think Swisher can cause this deal to happen just on name and potential alone, but New York is a win now team, and they need another starting pitcher. They have a prime opportunity to make that happen with the Reds.
In sort of a sidenote, the Yankees should try and get Micah Owings in a deal with the Reds as well. He started off extremely strong with Arizona and fell off dramatically. His demise resulted in a trip to Cincinnati's farm system.
With all that said, there is only one way I would trade Xavier Nady. The Yankees would have to sign Manny Ramirez. (I almost exploded when I thought of the Yankees lineup with Manny.) Barring that, which is not likely to happen, especially when New York is trying to lower their payroll, Xavier Nady is too valuable to this lineup to let go. I'm still wondering why they let Bobby Abreu go.
EDIT: Another alternative to trading Nady is to try and move Johnny Damon. His stock will most likely never be as high as it is right now. Trade him before the season starts and he begins playing like a 35 year old.
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The only other starter the Yankees should consider is Oliver Perez, and with Spring Training set to start in a few weeks, his price will most likely go down. I'm surprised the Mets haven't signed him. But I suppose that won't happen after they got Tim Redding.
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The only other starter the Yankees should consider is Oliver Perez, and with Spring Training set to start in a few weeks, his price will most likely go down. I'm surprised the Mets haven't signed him. But I suppose that won't happen after they got Tim Redding.
In summary:
Don't trade Nady.
We want Manny.
Max Caster
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