Swisher or Nady, Which Will it Be?

It seems a certainty that either Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady will be dealt prior to Spring Training, or at the very worst, prior to the start of the regular season. It seems almost comical in light of the recent free agent signings, but the Yankees want to lower their payroll to a figure comparable, if not lower, to last season's salaries.

That's where Swisher and Nady come in. The Yankees don't want to deal Johnny Damon and realize that Hideki Matsui doesn't have the trade value he once did. So as Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes, it's down to Nady and Swisher.

We like both players and were really impressed with Nady in his post trade deadline stint here. We'd hate to see him go, but he's a free agent after this season and with Scott Boras as his agent, the Yankees aren't likely to bring him back.

Meanwhile, Swisher is signed through 2011 and can play both outfield and first base, though he doesn't particularly stand out in either spot. Swisher's ability to play center field also weighs in, and to a lesser degree, the fact that he's a switch-hitter. The Yankees also like Swisher's "upbeat personality and fiery attitude".

With Andy Pettitte still not signed, Nady could have major value in obtaining another starting pitcher. Now it's up to Brian Cashman to find the best deal possible, which may not be easy since more calls are coming in about Swisher than Nady.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 1/7

It's time for the Shelley Duncan fan club to move on. The Yankees energetic bohemoth was released to make room on the 40 man roster for MarkTeixeira. Duncan burst on to the scene in '07 after a long siege in the minor leagues, giving the Yankees some pop from the right side, some major, arm bashing, and plenty of positive attitude. Unfortunately, that didn't translate to a good 2008 when Duncan had only 57 at-bats.

Deal or No Deal?
Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees are fielding offers for Xavier Nady, Nick Swisher, and possibly Hideki Matsui. We know there's a glut, but Nady?

Please don't ever allow him in Yankee Stadium
The Yankees announced the other day that they had signed veteran pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor league deal.

Yogi Berroa?
The Yankees have also brought in former AL Rookie of the Year, beating out Hideki Matsui, Angel Berroa to possibly back up Derek Jeter and serve as a utility infielder. Berroa put together 3 moderate to good seasons, including that rookie campaign, for the Royals. But he struggled the last 3 years, spending some of it in the minors. He played just 84 games for the Dodgers last season after being acquired from the Royals in June.

J-Rod is Back
The Yankees have re-signed former prospect John Rodriguez to a minor league deal. The lesser known Rodriguez spent the last 3 seasons with the Indians and Cardinals.

No Pepsi, Coke
Sam Borden, filling in for Peter Abraham, reports that Phil Coke has been told he'll come to Spring Training as a starter. PeteAbe also posted a story and some photos from the Yankees recent clinic in Taiwan.

Show the Mayor the Money
NYC has decided not to have luxury suites at either of the new stadiums being built in New York, but will take the money for them.

Don't Sh*t Where you Eat
The Scranton Yankees are suing their food vending company.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 11/20

Plenty of praise and a few shots coming in today for Mike Mussina after word came out yesterday he would be calling it a career. Here's some of what's being said by the area writers:

Pete Abraham

Mike Lupica

Joel Sherman

George King

Mark Feinsand

Tyler Kepner


Moose held a press conference today in which he apologized to reporters for misleading them. He had intended 2008 to be his last season from the first day of Spring Training.

Nick Swisher was on with Mike Francesa the other day. He's quite a character. You can take a listen for yourself on WFAN's website.

Joe Girardi and Michael Kay were among the honorees at Tuesday night's "Remember When, Remember Now" fundraiser for Alzheimer's Disease. Girardi's dad suffers from the hideous disease. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch had a chance to talk to the manager about the 2009 season.

Phil Coke was named to the Topp's Double-A All Star team. Do you get free baseball cards?

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Breaking News: Yankees Acquire Nick Swisher from White Sox

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick is reporting that the Yankees have acquired outfielder/1st baseman Nich Swisher from the Chicago White Sox for minor league pitcher Jeff Marquez. Fox's Ken Rosenthal also reported the Yankees received Class AA right-hander Kanekoa Texeira. Not quite the Teixeira we were all hoping for.

Swisher gives the Yankees the option of playing him regularly in centerfield or at first base.

Update: 4:35 PM - The Yankees have also included Wilson Betemit as part of the deal. To which we say, "YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

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Friday Hot Stove

It's been a bit since we've taken a look at the non-Yankees hot stove, primarily because NOTHING has been going on, but here we go.

Eric Chavez is pissed and who can blame him. The A's have already dealt their best pitcher, Dan Haren, and their best slugger, Nick Swisher. When asked if he thought the A's would sign Barry Bonds, Chavez's response said it all. "If he's in uniform next year, there's a 90 percent chance it will be with the Oakland A's," Chavez said. "It will be old, broken-down guys, me, [Mark] Kotsay and Barry, and a bunch of 19-year-olds."

Chavez addressed his own future as well. "I told Billy [Beane], 'I know what you're doing, if you want to move me, do what you have to do,'" Chavez said. "It's motivation to get healthy, play well and then see what happens. To be honest, with everything that's going on, there's probably no reason for me to stay around, it doesn't add up with what's happening."

Talk about being desperate for pitching- The Royals have inked Hideo Nomo to a minor league deal. The 39-yr old right-hander has not pitched in the majors since a brief stint with the Rays in 2005. He's also recuperating from elbow surgery.

There's no question that players perform better when there's a contract on the line. Manny Ramirez is no exception. 2008 is the final guaranteed year of his contract, and Peter Gammons reports that Manny has become a workout maniac.

Desperate for pitching, part II - the Cardinals have signed Matt Clement to a 1-yr, incentive laden deal. Clement, who is still recovering from elbow surgery, is guaranteed $1.5 million.

The Rockies are close to signing former Blue Jays' pitcher Josh Towers to a 1-yr, $1.8 million deal.

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Breaking News: Beane Dealing Again

A's GM Billy Beane will never be accused of standing pat, whether it be good times or bad. Beane already swung a deal that sent his ace, Dan Haren, to the Diamondbacks for a boatload of prospects. Now Beane has dealt up and coming slugger, Nick Swisher, to the White Sox for more prospects.

Big things were expected from Swisher after he hit 35 HRs and drove in 95 runs in 2006. But the 1st Baseman/Outfielder slumped through much of this past season, only producing 22 home runs and 78 RBI. Swisher can either play the outfield for Chicago, or move to 1st Base if Paul Konerko is dealt.

In return the A's receivedleft-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez, right-handed pitcher Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney.

Gonzalez started out in the White Sox organization before being to the Phillies in the Jim Thome trade. He returned to the windy city when the Sox dealt Freddy Garcia to the Phils. The 21-year old is on the move again, but is still highly touted. This past season, Gonzalez struck out 185 batters in 150 innings pitched.

De Los Santos was named the Most Outstanding Major League Prospect of the South Atlantic League's posting a 9-4 record with a 2.40 ERA.

Sweeney was the White Sox top rated prospect entering '07, but hit just .270 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI at Triple-A. He did poorly in a brief stint with the big club.

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