A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bonds?

by The Gene Hackman on Jan 3, 2008 11:40 AM PST

Not sure i would have made this move, but whatever. Maybe they need BLB's bat more than ever now.

This FanPost is reader-generated, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of McCovey Chronicles. If the author uses filler to achieve the minimum word requirement, a moderator may edit the FanPost for his or her own amusement.

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Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Uh, link?

Message to Sabean: It's the end of the day.

by juanboy on Jan 3, 2008 11:31 AM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

OK, here it is:

http://bdd.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/1/3/3445503.html

or go to

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Interesting move. This seems totally out of left field--had no idea the A's were even shopping Swish.

Message to Sabean: It's the end of the day.

by juanboy on Jan 3, 2008 11:35 AM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

My next thought is: well, there went our dim hopes of dumping Roberts to the White Sox, who seemed like a potential partner.

Message to Sabean: It's the end of the day.

by juanboy on Jan 3, 2008 11:38 AM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swish

Tough offseason for Bay Area baseball fans. I wish the Giants could rebuild like the A's though.

Thank God that's over.

by southcitysteve on Jan 3, 2008 11:40 AM PST 0 recs

Hmmmm

on ESPN now as well

Poor A's finally folded, but damn they are cashing in on prospects for their young stars. So what should we do?

Inquire on Chavez? Perhaps he wont take much as the old battered star. He would provide that pop we need but would be the opposite way of rebuilding. The other positive is that getting him will provide happiness to our solid rotation.

Inquire about their younger stars? Street would help out alot but I really like Brian Wilson. Street's young, but he's going to be expensive in terms of prospects. Personally i would rather concentrate on getting Nathan back later on.

Take a page out of the A's book? That is, start trading anything resembling any talent in order to bulk up our AAA and AA. This would mean either Cain or Linc, Winn, Lowry,and im sure others. Problem with this is after paying rowand 12 mil, i hardly see doing this as a realistic option.

Anyone else see anything they like the A's yard sale that is available?

by Giant Voodoo on Jan 3, 2008 11:48 AM PST 0 recs

Re: Hmmmm

"Anyone else see anything they like the A's yard sale that is available?"
No, because i cant stand the idea of Sabes trading with Beane. Sabes would come out of the deal with Chavez while losing Villalona and Maddy Bum

"Do you know what F.P. stands for?" "Fuckin Pimp"

by sfgiants114 on Jan 3, 2008 12:10 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Hmmmm

Forget a page, we need the whole book. The A's are going to complete an entire rebuilding cycle before we even get our asses off the turf. This happened when they traded Mulder and Hudson. They're doing it again and it looks like they'll be good in 2009 and maybe contenders in 2010. We, on the other hand, refuse to blow up this terrible roster for fear that the hedge fund traders will stop coming to the phone booth and buying our $9 beers on weeknights.

It makes me sick.

GIANTS: (Most of) Your fans aren't idiots.

Here's to Kemp, Loney, LaRoche, Hu, and Kershaw not panning out.

by Woody Wins on Jan 3, 2008 12:12 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Hmmmm

Yeah, while it's mostly a product of the fact that the A's don't draw in the first place and therefore don't need to pander to their fanbase, I still wish Sabean could be so bold. That's what we really need here.

The only thing Sabean is bold with anymore is being boldly half-assed.

Only 972 games until the end of Zito's contract.

by thehavenot on Jan 3, 2008 2:56 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Actually, it's the other way around for Bonds. They have much less need for him now (although the likelihood of them signing Bonds was already zero once they traded Haren). They don't have a chance of making the playoffs, they know this, and they won't sign Bonds for a bunch of money with no reward.

Adoptive father of David Quinowski: Fuck it, dude, let's go bowling

by marcello on Jan 3, 2008 11:59 AM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Unless they want him for ticket sales.

by mxmob33 on Jan 3, 2008 12:10 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

A's fans hate Bonds. They won't go to the yard just to watch him.

Bonds stands alone.

by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 3, 2008 12:29 PM PST up 0 recs

Not necessarily

If Beane hadn't overhauled the team, A's fans would have accepted Bonds on a contending team.

Also, ticket sales are ticket sales. Giants fans watching Bonds in Oakland is still money in the bank for the A's owners, of whom Beane is one.

by rfloh on Jan 3, 2008 12:57 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

People have always gone to the yard for no other reason than to see Bonds, whether they love him or hate him. Well, maybe not always, but every year for the last 8 or so. Granted, with the major records done, the appeal might not be as strong, but people still pay to see nothing more than Barry Dingers.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM! / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Jan 3, 2008 12:58 PM PST up 0 recs

Barry Dingers

Haha, that made me laugh because I'm immature. It's a good thing you didn't Freudian Slip that 's'.

Adoptive father of David Quinowski: Fuck it, dude, let's go bowling

by marcello on Jan 3, 2008 5:51 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

It makes absolutely no difference. The point of signing Bonds would be to increase ticket sales and maybe attract some die hard Barry fans, not so much to further arm the lineup.

by boonitez on Jan 3, 2008 2:55 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Wrong. The point of signing Bonds, pre-Haren trade, would have been to capitalize on a unique opportunity, with good pitching + Bonds/Swisher/Cust in the same lineup. When they broke up that formula by trading their ace, the A's signaled that they were throwing in the towel on 2008, most definitely rebuilding, and therefore NOT buying proven talent.

***

Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy

by hairball on Jan 3, 2008 3:24 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

I must ask...

Are we all REALLY this high on one good season from Jack Cust? He had worlds of promise when he first made the majors, and he's now a 28ish-year-old with one good season under his belt. Was this a career year, or a sign of great things to come?

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jan 3, 2008 3:31 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

He's a cheap source of OBP and power, sounds money to me. No one is saying he's going to be one of the top players in the league, but he could be a cheaper Adam Dunn.

Adoptive father of David Quinowski: Fuck it, dude, let's go bowling

by marcello on Jan 3, 2008 5:57 PM PST up 0 recs

That one good season was very

good. His numbers in the minors are very good.

Cust's problems have always been D and baserunning. The D is still a big problem.

He is almost certain to regress from his 147 OPS+, but a 120 OPS+ from a cheap player is very nice to have.

by rfloh on Jan 3, 2008 10:49 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: That one good season was very

I'd always heard good things about his hitting, so why did it take him so long to reach/stick in the majors? Injuries, playing in the wrong league, or something else?

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Jan 4, 2008 8:36 AM PST up 0 recs

Re: That one good season was very

That is the question stat nerds have been asking for years now. I never understood why he didn't get a shot. Hell, look at his 2003 numbers with Baltimore, he hit well in 73 AB's but then didn't get another shot until last year. I think people thought he was a magic act and wouldn't last.

Adoptive father of David Quinowski: Fuck it, dude, let's go bowling

by marcello on Jan 4, 2008 11:51 AM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

And so signing Bonds wouldn't serve as an even slightly signifigant draw that makes them about all the money they're gonna get next year because they're really going to suck and nobody's going to show up?

by boonitez on Jan 4, 2008 12:17 AM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Totally agree with you regarding B. Lamar - absolutely no reason for the A's to get him ever since they traded Haren, and ESPECIALLY now that they've traded Swisher.

***

Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy

by hairball on Jan 3, 2008 3:21 PM PST up 0 recs

Those 2 pitchers are

FINE prospects.

Fautino de los Santos has a sky high ceiling. Best case scenario, he becomes an ace with a high number of Ks, and great stuff. Rated 5 stars by Kevin Goldstein on BPro. Goldstein is pretty stingy with his 5 star ratings.

Gio Gonzalez' ceiling is lower, but he is also almost ready. A non-optimistic projection is as a league average starter. Rated 4 stars by Kevin Goldstein on BPro.

by rfloh on Jan 3, 2008 12:12 PM PST 0 recs

Re: Those 2 pitchers are

I like the trade for the A's, too. They get two guys who could be a 1-2 punch for their rotation over the next 3-4 years and Sweeney, who I've always thought was overrated but at least he's still young.

Depending on the promotions of all the new guys, the A's could be a top 10 system right now, definitely top 15.

Pretty good turn around for a farm system that was in the lower tiers.

by xanthan on Jan 3, 2008 12:19 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Those 2 pitchers are

The A's system had fallen in the opinion of some. IIRC Baseball America commented on how poor the A's system was before these trades, in comparison to how stacked they were previously. Maybe Beane panicked reading that.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jan 3, 2008 12:36 PM PST up 0 recs

Sweeney at this point looks

like nothing more than your typical 100 OPS+ corner OF / 1b. Useful to have around when he is cheap, nothing more.

by rfloh on Jan 3, 2008 12:44 PM PST up 0 recs

They don't need Barry

They'll suck with or without him, and the hardcore A's fan would eat out of Beane's hand. They'll draw a million, maybe a million and a half, and still turn a profit because payroll will be so low.

by Bitter Fan on Jan 3, 2008 12:29 PM PST 0 recs

Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

We could of and should of beaten this offer. I would have offered Sanchez, Sosa, and Schierholtz to match the WhiteSox trio and then I would of thrown in Romo to top it. Nick Swisher is the perfect starting 1B and CleanUp hitter for the rebuilding Giants. There is no excuse for not knowing this was an option, persueing it, and making it happen.

Once again Sabean was asleep at the switch and didn't even know what was available in his own backyard. This is the last straw for me. Count me in the "Sabean must go before we get better crowd." The man is just out of touch with the realities of today's baseball world with no hope of even finding his way again.

by giantsrainman on Jan 3, 2008 12:38 PM PST 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

Idoubt the A's would have done it. The last thing they need to to send another fan favorite across the bay to SF. With neither team likely to play well next season, the Giants' park already gives them a huge advantage with the casual fan.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Jan 3, 2008 12:50 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

From a marketing perspective the A's could easily counter the loss of Swisher with the add of Bonds while they rebuild. That said, I don't think Billy Beane is worried about marketing now he is worried about winning later and thus would take the best offer regardless of the short term marketing impact.

by giantsrainman on Jan 3, 2008 12:56 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

There are so many problems with adding Bonds, I don' see it. I also don't think his drawing power on a bad team in Oakland is that huge a factor. They'll attract a few fans, but they'll also alienate some, and Bonds won't make the team good enough to draw fans with wins. I'm sure he'd give them a nice road attendance, though.

Fool me seven times, shame on you. Fool me eight or more times, shame on me.

by Bhaakon on Jan 3, 2008 1:33 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

People on this email chain may disagree with me, but I don't know that Sanchez (25) + Sosa (22) > de los Santos (21) + Gonzalez (22). Schierholtz and Sweeney are probably a wash at the end of the day. This is a great trade for the A's. How many teams would trade away a 27 year old OF under contract for the next 4 seasons for a total of $26M? Sometime I think Beane tries to get a little too creative but this was a really nice haul.

by Lincecum Cain Then Pray For Rain on Jan 3, 2008 1:06 PM PST up 0 recs

I agree with you that the WS package is better

but Sweeney and Schierholtz is not a wash.

Whereas Schierholtz has improved as he has progressed in age and levels, Sweeney has stagnated or worse, gone backwards. Sweeney looks like a Andy Marte, or a Sean Burroughs type prospect.

After the 2007 that they both had, Schierholtz breaking out, Sweeney regressing, it's not even close between the 2.

by rfloh on Jan 3, 2008 2:41 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: I agree with you that the WS package is better

You're right, I should have checked the stats before making that broad statement. Nate's a year older and has posted very solid minor league numbers (although his plate discipline scares me a bit). In 2006, Sweeney posted a very solid season as a 21 year-old at AAA (which is impressive) but didn't progress like many had hoped. I don't think either projects to be a star, but Nate is the better OF right now. Sweeney might be the better prospect down the road given his age and if he sticks at CF, but time will tell.

by Lincecum Cain Then Pray For Rain on Jan 3, 2008 3:07 PM PST up 0 recs

Sweeney is not a CF

If he were a legit CF, he probably would not have been in this trade. No prospect watcher, whether Sickels, Goldstein on BPro, or BA considers him a legit CF. Sickels had this to say "I think he's going to be just a platoon player, not an impact bat."

His 802 OPS in 2006 looks impressive relative to the IL average of 715, before you consider park effects. Using EQA from BPRo, which is park adjusted, they gave him an EQA of 270, slightly above average, which is 260. Good, but not as good as it seems without a park adjustment.

He is basically your typical tweener 4th OF type. He looks like a 100 OPS+ in a corner with OK D, or 100 OPS+ in CF with bad D type of player. Useful to have when cheap, nothing more.

by rfloh on Jan 3, 2008 3:36 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Sweeney is not a CF

Thanks for the additional info, it certainly helps paint a better picture of Sweeney's true ceiling. I saw he played some CF for the Sox last year and thought that it might be his primary position (where are those handy minor league fielding stats when you need them). BP referred to him similarly, basically a 4th OF who has decent OBA skills and can fill in on the cheap. Nothing wrong with that as the throw-in on a deal. It will be interesting to see how he pans out in Sacramento (assuming he doesn't break camp with the A's).

by Lincecum Cain Then Pray For Rain on Jan 3, 2008 3:54 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

Yeah, I agree completely with you. The White Sox package was better.

BTW, nice name. ;)

Adoptive father of David Quinowski: Fuck it, dude, let's go bowling

by marcello on Jan 3, 2008 6:03 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

Pessimistic much?

by boonitez on Jan 3, 2008 2:59 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

most importantly the white sox package was much better. but billy b also doesnt wants to help the giants only slightly more than he wants to help the angels. beane has to realize that even with a bunch of unproven 21 and 22 year olds he might still field the best team in the bay area next year. sending swisher here, even for 3 good prospects, could change that.

by sam23 on Jan 3, 2008 4:40 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: Damm It! Nick Swisher Should Be A Giant!

It's not only Beane. There's no doubt in my mind that the A's owners don't want to do anything that might help the Giants, after the Giants' have blocked their attempts to move the franchise. There's alot of bad feelings between the teams. If Sabean even called on Swisher you could be sure he heard the name Lincecum. I haven't lost hope yet that Sabean has a good move up his sleeve, because if he didn't he would have signed Tony Clark and Pedro Feliz already.

Bring me a cleanup hitter please!!

by rxmeister on Jan 3, 2008 6:38 PM PST up 0 recs

He would hear the name Lincecum

because besides that or Cain the Giants don't have enough to offer for Swisher.

by awesomer on Jan 3, 2008 6:40 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Great trade by Beane. Rebuilding the farm system, and acknowledging the A's can't compete with the Angels in 2008. He's thinking ten steps ahead, not one (a la Another Bay Area GM).

Incidentally, anyone check out the new comments structure on Athletics Nation? I'm not sure when that was installed but I'm guessing Grant's poll about "Do You Fear Change?" probably refers to those features being installed here on McC sometime soon.

Lon Simmons' adopted dad.

by Kitspool on Jan 3, 2008 1:02 PM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

That's been there for a while. I hope it doesn't turn out that way because I don't like the way it looks.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Jan 3, 2008 4:23 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Good trade.

by Todd Linden on Jan 3, 2008 1:11 PM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

You think there's more room for Bon.

But then you end up with Brian Johnson.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Jan 3, 2008 1:19 PM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Bon Scott wouldn't have taken Mark Guthrie deep.

He would have puked on himself during the division celebration, though. That has to count for something.

by Grant on Jan 3, 2008 2:12 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Are you trying to say that Bon Scott couldn't hit a curve ball?

"cynical yet whimsical giants related signature"

by The Gene Hackman on Jan 3, 2008 3:06 PM PST up 0 recs

Heh!

"I hit a currrrrrveballlll to Hell..."

Rockies juggernaut rolls o...ver , dead. NL West TempestTeapot CASE IN POINT!

by victor frankenstein on Jan 3, 2008 7:36 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Bon Scott wouldn't have taken Mark Guthrie deep.

He would have puked on himself.

I started reading this without any context whatsoever, glanced and saw it was a Grant comment, and started reading it again to make sure I wasn't seeing things wrong. The third time through, I finally realized what "taken deep" actually meant.

I really should scan the comments that comments are commenting on before I scan the new comments themselves.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM! / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Jan 7, 2008 12:45 AM PST up 0 recs

dont be surprised

Todd Linden might get a chance with A's now

by rayver723 on Jan 3, 2008 1:27 PM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox .

Sweeney pisses me off! He was supposed to play at my school, SDSU, but decided to play pro instead. Now look at him! He's part of an A's trade...

Brian Sabean is akin to a treatable form of cancer... just get rid of it before it kills you

by milesntrane on Jan 3, 2008 2:58 PM PST 0 recs

White Sox

Someone on another board suggested that perhaps since swisher is a plus defender at first, prehaps the White Sox go young and trade Konerko.

by OmahaGiants on Jan 3, 2008 6:07 PM PST 0 recs

Re: White Sox

The White Sox trading Konerko would not suprise me at all. But I don't think playing Swisher at 1B would be the plan. They are not finding many takers for Crede so I am thinking the would trade Konerko to play Fields at 1B and keep Crede at 3B. Outfield defense would be suspect but the following lineup would be pretty potent.

Cabrera SS
Quentin LF
Swisher CF
Thome DH
Dye RF
Fields 1B
Pierzynski C
Crede 3B
Uribe 2B

by giantsrainman on Jan 3, 2008 7:38 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: White Sox

Lowry+ for Koenerko? What would the plus have to be?

by giantsrainman on Jan 3, 2008 7:40 PM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

I'm sorry, I find this trade horrible for the A's.

Sweeney's shortcomings have already been addressed. And this is the guy people wanted to be the centerpiece of a fabled Schmidt deal two years ago.

Gonzalez is a classic all-stuff and what else guy? (Dare I say Merkin?) He gets K's, but even in a pitching league, walks so many that it hurts him. Both these guys' reports seem to highlight around the word 'young'. Big f'ing deal. Both repeated at the levels they were at the season before, and the one that's actually closer to the majors regressed.

De Los Santos looks legitimate, but is also a long way from the majors. Superstar/five star/etc.? I don't know about that, especially not at said level.

Is that worth a proven outfielder who'll probably reach free agency before said DLS reaches the majors, who could help make this rebuilding effort a short one, is a clubhouse and fan favorite for a team whose poor fanbase led to the CLOSING OF AN ENTIRE DECK OF THEIR HOME STADIUM, and who is a lock for a .440+ slugging and has had over 90 walks each in the last two years?

I say no. The White Sox took the A's, dumping off a couple of 'prospects' who'll just become the 'Whatever Happened to...' story for some other G.M.

SFDugout.com - Returning Offseason 2007

by BruteSentiment on Jan 4, 2008 12:26 AM PST 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

Exactly. Beane is doing nothing more than a Charlie Finley redux. Its all about stuffing dollar bills in ownerships pockets. Charlie O got ripped because he treated people like shit. Beane on the other hand is just a more PR savvy version of Finley

Your Oakland A's--Feeder Team To the Stars.

by E Ticket on Jan 4, 2008 11:30 AM PST up 0 recs

Re: A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bon

This is EXACTLY how I feel. Very nicely put.

I was actually hearing from A's fans earlier this year about how the team was finally in a position to start retaining good, young, popular talent and how they were looking forward to seeing a list of four or five guys (consistently the same ones) play for the next 5+ years. Swisher was always tops on that list.

I kind of feel bad for them. Despite their success and our suckiness over the last few years, I mean, at least I never had to resign myself to thoughts like "I wonder what will happen when we inevitably trade Cain (or, insert exciting, talented, retainable player here) next year."

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM! / Also, my blog. For writers.

by howtheyscored on Jan 7, 2008 12:54 AM PST up 0 recs