The 2009 New York Yankees

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

ESPN reporting we've acquired Nick Swisher from the White Sox for a Minor Leaguer. I actually like this deal.. & so it begins

[ehh]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

What's there to like, the guy hit .220 last year. We already have Melky, Cano and Gardner to hit in the low .200's.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

We didn't give up much though, his position flexibility gives the Yankees flexibility in the offseason, and his OBP and Slugging is laughably better than anything Melky or Gardner could do. Great move by the Yanks even though Swisher isn't really my favorite player.

Gardner had a OBP of .283 last year. Swisher had a OBP of .332 and slugging percentage of .410 even though he had a terrible year. You gotta think that we bought low on him.

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

What's there to like, the guy hit .220 last year. We already have Melky, Cano and Gardner to hit in the low .200's.

He's a switch hitter. Has some power. Plays hard. Yeah he strikes out a ton, but he also walks a nice amount also. (was 8th last year with 82) He's also only 28 years. Remember our outfield is very unstable right now with them not resigning Abreu

[Sandman42]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

What's there to like, the guy hit .220 last year. We already have Melky, Cano and Gardner to hit in the low .200's.

In his last 2 years with Oakland he put up these lines:

2006: .254/.372/.493
2007: .262/.381/.455

He wasn't great last year, but he can draw walks, has good power, and can play all 3 OF spots. Plus all we gave up for him was Betemit, because Marquez was never going to make it to the majors.

[ryanm1058123]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

What's there to like, the guy hit .220 last year. We already have Melky, Cano and Gardner to hit in the low .200's.

lol.. are you serious?

[nyyanksfan20]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

Swisher is a nice player, I like the versatility he brings along with being a switch hitter. That said I don't want him as the everyday 1stbaseman.

[Rod_Carew29]

Re: Nick Swisher

Swisher is a VERY nice player...not only do his teammates love him (wherever he's played), but they and all fans LOVE his approach to the game...he leaves it ALL on the field.

In addition to playing ALL OF spots, he can play first more than adequately

anyone who says or feels he's no biggie (in terms of the Yanks acquiring him) has NOT been paying attention

lastly, with about $20 million left for about 3 years, the Yanks got themselves a bargain

And this is coming from a METS fan

Swisher is a nice player, I like the versatility he brings along with being a switch hitter. That said I don't want him as the everyday 1stbaseman.

[CMH]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

Justin Christian? I don't think he's gonna amount to much more than a 4th outfielder. Doesn't really possess the necessary tools to ever start for the Yankees.

Yea, Justin. Not sure where I got Jason from.

I like his speed. I'm no suggesting that he is a star in the future. I just liked him. I liked his approach at the plate and his aggressiveness on the base paths.

He just can't hit. So he has no future.

[ehh]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

He's also 28 or 29.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

Yea, Justin. Not sure where I got Jason from.

I like his speed. I'm no suggesting that he is a star in the future. I just liked him. I liked his approach at the plate and his aggressiveness on the base paths.

He just can't hit. So he has no future.

Haha, yeah. What do you think of Brett Gardner? Also posseses blazing speed but not much of a bat.

[CMH]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

Gardner is a flyer, but I don't see his bat improving at all. He isn't a contact guy and he has zero patience.

I always felt like Christian had a good enough eye to improve. He didn't strike out much (every 10 at-bats compared to every 4 for Gardner) and had a more obvious idea of what he was doing at the plate.

I'm not high on Gardner at all. For Christian, it's unfortunate he wasn't around earlier to develop at 23 rather than 28. Now, it's too late.

[CMH]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

I should add this:

Gardner had a tough call-up. He had a pretty good minor league career and did show patience there. Not sure what changed in the Major League level.

Maybe he just needs a chance from the beginning. I worry about his lack of power. I'm not saying he should hit 20+ bombs, but he doesn't even get XBH.

Speed doesn't go at 24, so he's got that. If he can be more patient, like he was in college and the minors, then perhaps he'll be a good fit. Contact is where I worry. But, that can be an issue with being a nervous rookie, perhaps. He still strikes out way too much for a guy with no power.

So, right now, I'm not high on him, but that can change over Spring Training. It's all on what he does during his at-bats.

[Sandman42]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

Gardner's not going to post anywhere near the walks he was able to draw in the minors. Since he hits for no power at all, no pitcher is going to be afraid to just throw the ball right over the plate and get him to slap the ball around the field.

[CMH]

Re: The 2009 New York Yankees

Gardner's not going to post anywhere near the walks he was able to draw in the minors. Since he hits for no power at all, no pitcher is going to be afraid to just throw the ball right over the plate and get him to slap the ball around the field.

That's my worry. A guy that already strikes out a ton with no power? Guys are not going to be afraid to throw down the middle. He's not hitting out of the ballpark or reaching beyond 1B.

I would take my chances. Why get cute and walk him and risk him stealing 2nd and possibly 3rd?

This could be a situation where his speed is his worst enemy.