Tradeable?

The Yankees have supposedly been shopping around outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady. Some rumors include one of them being traded to the Reds for a pitcher, such as Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang. Why?

Nady and Swisher were both acquired via trade. Nady was traded in July of 2008 and Swisher only a few months ago. Nady was traded along with Damaso Marte for outfielder Jose Tabata (once a top prospect) and pitchers Dan McCutchen, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jeff Karstens. Ohlendorf and Karstens have both pitched in the majors before the trades and had average performance. Tabata was a top prospect in the Yankees' organization for years before a down-season and troubles off the field. McCutchen pitched very well in the minors for the Yankees and was worth a call-up before traded.

Swisher was traded with a low-tier prospect for infielder Wilson Betemit and pitchers Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez. Betemit could be a regular player, but has a low batting average and strikes out often. Marquez was once regarded as a contender for a rotation spot a few years ago, but Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy earned it before him.

The Yankees essentially traded 7 players for the outfielders. They shouldn't give up on them, especially when Nady has only played 2 months for the Yankees and Swisher hasn't even played once.

Xavier Nady will be a free agent at the end of the year and is a Scott Boras client. The Yankees may consider resigning him at season's end, but no one knows for sure. Nady is in a contract year and studies show players in contract years peform better than they do in average years.

Swisher is locked up until 2011 and has a club option for 2012. Swisher is versatile and can play 1B (now played by Mark Teixeira) and all outfield positions. He is due $5.3 million in 2009, $6.75 million in 2010, and $9 million in 2011.

The Yankee outfield is (at the moment): Johnny Damon (LF), Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner (CF), Xavier Nady (RF) and has Swisher riding the bench. Hideki Matsui will be the DH for the Yankees.

The Yankees should have Brett Gardner in AAA to start the season and Melky Cabrera on the bench. They should also have Damon play CF and Swisher play LF, or Damon play LF and Swisher play CF. That way Gardner can get more playing time and become more prepared for the majors. Gardner hit .228 in 42 games with the Yankees and had an OPS under .600. Melky Cabrera slumped in 2008 and he could be a late-inning, defensive replacement if needed.

Having Swisher and Nady in the same lineup would be a great idea and would only make the Yankees' lineup more fearful.

As of now, the Yankees' lineup is:
1. Johnny Damon (LF)
2. Derek Jeter (SS)
3. Mark Teixeira (1B)
4. Alex Rodriguez (3B)
5. Xavier Nady (RF)
6. Hideki Matsui (DH)
7. Jorge Posada (C)
8. Nick Swisher (CF)
9. Robinson Cano (2B)