The Yankees have acquired first baseman Nick Swisher and Class AA right-hander Kanekoa Texeira from the White Sox. The White Sox will receive infielder Wilson Betemit and minor leaguers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez.
The Yankees view Swisher as a flexible, affordable option as they try to improve upon their third-place finish in the AL East last season, which marked the first time they missed the postseason since 1993. Swisher, who turns 28 on Nov. 25, hit just .219 with 24 homers and 69 RBIs last season.
Swisher, a switch-hitter, likely will play first base for the Yankees, replacing free-agent Jason Giambi, but he also provides depth in left and center field.
The Yankees are still looking for a center fielder, but as they are presently constituted, Xavier Nady could play left and Johnny Damon center.
If the Yankees sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, they can further reconfigure their outfield, going with Swisher in left, Damon in center and Nady in right.
Hideki Matsui is coming off knee surgery and could figure in left, enabling Nady to move to right or serve as a designated hitter.
Swisher is signed for $5.3 million next season, $6.75 million in 2010 and $9 million in ’11 with a $10.25 million club option for ’12. His contract leaves the Yankees ample flexibility to pursue starting pitching on the free-agent market, and the team is expected to be a major player for virtually all of the top starters available — most notably, left-hander CC Sabathia and right-handers Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett.
For the White Sox, the acquisition of Betemit, a switch-hitter, gives the team an additional option at third base, where Josh Fields is expected to replace departing free agent Joe Crede.
Betemit earned $1.165 million last season in his first year of arbitration eligibility, so the White Sox will gain financial flexibility with this move, perhaps freeing them up for other pursuits.