Yardbarker: Nick Swisher

Harden invites teammates to view WALL-E

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:01:53 -0500

CHICAGO, IL — In what he hoped would be a team-building exercise that would let his teammates get to know him a bit better, Rich Harden invited several Cubs teammates to join him for a screening of the movie WALL-E Saturday, only to find himself ridiculed. “I just thought it would be a nice team-building, spirit [...]

Better than my Dreams

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:18:47 -0500

I'm not sure what I was dreaming about when I drifted asleep at whatever time it was between the top and bottom of the 14th inning of last night's marathon White Sox-Tigers game. But I'm guessing it wasn't as good as the game I was sleeping through. After Placido Polanco connected for a two-run homer to [...]

The Detroit Tigers are Dead to Me

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:28:15 -0500

The Tigers season was hanging by a thread last night. Most, including myself, had already dug their grave and admitted that the 2008 Season was a colossal disappointment. But there was that small chance. That 1 in a million shot that the Twins and White Sox would both blow up and the Tigs would somehow manage a sweep this week. Up 6-1, that 1 in a million shot was looking pretty good. But then it happened. Robertson gave up a few runs which is he more than prone to do. And the White Sox just kept inching closer. When newly acquired Kyle Farnsworth toed the rubber in the 8th inning, he had yet to show Tigers fans anything but misery. He did not disappoint. He served up a game tying solo shot. He looked visibly distraught and so did most of the Tigers squad. Even the young guys looked like they had given up. I don't know why but for some reason I continued to watch this game. The car wreck was up ahead and I was just trying to see how bad it was going to get. But out of the blue, Placido Polanco lifted everyones spirits with a two run homer in the top of the 14th inning. It was a gut check kind of homer from Polly who rarely hits home runs (let alone two in one game). I asked myself at about 1am, are they teasing us again? Is this going to be a win to propel them? About 10 minutes later, I had my answer. It was just another tease job. Before the game, The Wizard of Woodward Jim Leyland had annointed Joel Zumaya as the new closer. And like all the Tigers closers before him this year, he failed miserably. A couple of hits and a Edgar Reneteria bobbled grounder led to two on and Nick Swisher coming to the plate. And like Jermaine Dye did against Todd Jones only three weeks before, he sent a homerun into right field. A homerun the Tigers won't soon forget. ------ It's over for the Tigers. The only people hanging on are homers. The only people hanging on are people too stupid to realize that this time just doesn't have it this year. It's painfully obvious they don't have the right mix of players. But much more than that, they just don't have pitching. Something that separated them from the rest of baseball in 2006. The Joel Zumaya that gave up that three run homer isn't the same Zumaya that scared hitters just a couple of years ago. In fact, the fear when Zumaya comes in is from the Detroit dugout now. Knowing its just a matter of time before another injury ends his season. This was a frustrating year for both the fans and players. Hope and happiness in spring training turned to despair just a week into the season. They played good at times, perhaps even great, but it was never enough. Their spurts of good were surrounded by a week or two of horrendous play. So I bid adieu officially to the Detroit Tigers 2008 Season. It was not nice knowing you.

Inside The Box August 6th Edition

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:45:13 -0500

A look at a guy who you don't want to get traded for, the pitcher who leads the majors in wins since 2005, a minor league lifer who excelled in his major league debut, a hitter with his eyes on an elusive 30-30 mark, a star who was once packaged for Lou Collier and lots more.

Trade Deadline Deals - Impact on Your Fantasy Team

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:18:52 -0500

What are the fantasy impacts of the trade deadline deals? Which players gained the most value (hint, Andy LaRoche), and which lost the most (Andruw Jones)? Foxsports Fantasy breaks it down for you.

A's may be making moves: Huston Street for Nick Swisher?

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:48:48 -0500

Billy Beane of the Oakland A's may be making some interesting moves with the trade deadline coming up and the move of Ken Griffey Jr. from the Reds to the White Sox. Griffey doesn't really have anywhere to play, so the Sox are thinking about moving Griffey to center and moving Swisher back to the A's for pitcher Huston Street. Weirder things have happened, but you have to wonder why Beane keeps making all these questionable moves and they haven't had any success in the post-season for awhile.

Griffey to White Sox?

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:02:55 -0500

With the all-important, "pending player approval", it looks like Ken Griffey Jr. is going to the Chicago White Sox, Ken Rosenthal is reporting bright and early this morning that a deal is near. The White Sox don't have an obvious slot for him but with a little jockeying around, he could play in center field, which he hasn't done since 2006. Moving Nick Swisher to first would reduce Paul Konerko and Jim Thome's playing time. Check back to see if Griffey approves the deal this morning.

MLB Busts of the Week - Week 17

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:28:56 -0500

Which fantasy studs dropped the ball last week? And which "sleepers" fell short of their hyped billing? Screaming Sports' Andrew Thibodeau runs down an eight-player list of fantasy bombs.

Bullpen Implodes As White Sox Overpower Rangers, 10-8

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:53:40 -0500

While trade rumors continue to sizzle, Eddie Guardado and C.J. Wilson contribute to a heartbreaking Texas Rangers meltdown at U.S. Cellular Field.

Sweeney proves to be a sweet find for A's

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:11:25 -0500

After getting a few sniffs of big league action the last two years Ryan Sweeney knew he could play in the majors. All he needed was a chance to play his position. That chance came this winter when the team that drafted him, the Chicago White Sox, traded the then 22-year old and others to the Oakland A's for Nick Swisher. Never known for his power swing Sweeney has compiled a solid .291 average and has shown a knack for getting on base as evident by his .353 on base percentage in the minors. The A's who have had a liking for players with high on base percentages inserted the youngster into their lineup. Considering that as of Sunday Sweeney was hitting a steady .304/.356/.407 on the season I don't expect there to be be too many complaints out of the front office in Oakland. Sweeney has appeared at all three outfield positions with the team, though the bulk of his time has been split between center and left field. While he started the year batting at the bottom of the order he's been penciled anywhere from first to ninth for the A's. Ideally he'll turn into a guy the team can count on to hit first or second somewhere in the mold of the guy he replaced in Nick Swisher. Though the power numbers likely will not be there.

The 2008 Sleepers that Were and Weren't

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:27:51 -0500

With half the season already over, we thought it be a good time to go back and see how our 2008 sleeper picks are doing. Read what we said back in March and see who we got right and who we got wrong.

In Billy Beane, the A's Should Trust

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:58:50 -0500

I learned my lesson (for the 82nd time) this year, that you can never underestimate Billy Beane. After he traded away Dan Haren and Nick Swisher leading into the season, I said the A's had conceded 2008. They're happily in 2nd place in the AL West, well over .500. What the **** [...]

Rounding The Bases: Milton Bradley > Schilling

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:29:37 -0500

I friggin' told you people Milton Bradley was just misunderstood. He loves his momma, Jesus, and America, too. [NYTimes] Curt Schilling Hearts Donovan McNabb. [The700Level] More than any athlete around right now, we want to see Alex Rodriguez fail at things. [SignalToNoise] Nick Swisher victimized by The Carebear Stare. [THOSEGirls] Bonnie Bernstein, Race, Religion and Sports. [SportsOnMyMind] We're not [...]

Culture clash behind A.L. Central reversal

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:08:03 -0500

The White Sox spent some serious money and mortgaged some of their future this winter, while the Tribe tried to get through this season with a pat hand and keep their future intact. This week's three-game series between the two is a good indicator of which team had the better approach.,

MLB Fantasy Busts of the Year

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 08:27:33 -0500

With the baseball season approaching the midway point, Screaming Sports' Andrew Thibodeau has decided to take a look back on the first half busts. With their offseason hype in mind, Andrew runs down a six-player list of the biggest letdowns.