Yankees get Swisher from White Sox for three players
Sports Network | November 13, 2008
Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they have acquired Nick Swisher and pitcher Kanekoa Texeira from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for infielder Wilson Betemit and two minor league hurlers.
"We're excited with the addition of Nick Swisher," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "We feel he has a ton of upside. He's a patient switch-hitter, adds versatility at a number of defensive positions, and will be a positive presence inside the clubhouse."
Swisher hit just .219 for Chicago last season as an outfielder and first baseman, but slugged 24 home runs, 21 doubles and knocked in 69 runs in 153 games.
Over a five-year career with the Athletics and White Sox, the 27-year-old is a .244 hitter with 104 homers and 324 RBI in 611 contests.
Texeira, Chicago's 22nd round pick in 2006, went 6-3 with 21 saves and a 1.33 earned run average in 51 relief appearances for Winston-Salem of the Carolina League and Double-A Birmingham.
Betemit hit .265 with six homers and 25 RBI in 87 games for New York in 2008. In six pro seasons with three clubs, the Dominican native holds a .260 average with 42 homers, 60 doubles and 151 RBI in 496 career contests.
Right-handed pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez round out the deal. Marquez was 8-8 with a 4.47 ERA in 19 appearances (18 starts) for three Yankees minor league clubs last season.
Nunez, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals at the trading deadline, went 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA with Double-A Trenton after the swap. Overall, he is 21-18 with a 3.26 ERA in 93 career minor league games (64 starts).
