November 13, 2008 Outfielder Nick Swisher was traded from the Chicago White Sox with Kanekoa Texeira to the New York Yankees for minor league hurler Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez, along with first baseman Wilson Betemit according to FoxSports.com.
Our View:Swisher had a very poor year, as his batting average was just .219, though he did hit 24 home runs. The Yankees needed both an outfielder and first baseman, and Swisher can fill both roles when asked.
November 12, 2008 Chicago is reportedly increasing their effort to trade Nick Swisher, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Our View:Swisher is signed through 2011 with Chicago but doesn't have no-trade rights. It is previously stated that the Sox would like to move Swisher to acquire more speed.
November 5, 2008 Nick Swisher is believed to be on Chicago's trading block, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Our View:GM Kenny Williams would like to upgrade Chicago's speed, and is believed to be interested in Willy Taveras of Colorado. The Rockies are not interested in Swisher, but they would likely take a young pitcher in return, such as Lance Broadway.
October 3, 2008 MLB.com reports that Nick Swisher is starting in Game 2 of the ALDS with left-hander Scott Kazmir starting for Tampa Bay. He replaces Dewayne Wise in the outfield on Friday.
Our View:It's easy to see what manager Ozzie Guillen is thinking by sitting his lefties, but Swisher has been terrible from the right side of the plate this season as he just hit .197. Just six of his 24 home runs came as a right-handed hitter. Swisher has three hits in 21 career at-bats against Kazmir.
September 17, 2008 Manager Ozzie Guillen noted that Nick Swisher will see less playing time while working in an outfield platoon with Brian Anderson, Dewayne Wise, and speedster Jerry Owens, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Our View:Swisher was covering at first base, but Paul Konerko has returned from his knee injury. He had been experimenting with different stances in the batting box, and the club cannot afford to wait for him to break out of his hitting slump while in a tight race with the Twins for the AL Central crown.
