Daily Archives: January 17, 2009

Here’s a quick smile for you on another cold day in New York (good lookin Matt B, Prince You Tube Selector):

Here’s the goods:

• What the Yankees want, the Yankees get.  The News reports that the IDA approved the issuance of $370 million in additional tax-exempt funding for the new Stadium.  (The Mets got the $ they wanted also.)
• The Times clarifies the new funding: $259M is tax-exempt bonds, $111M is taxable bonds.
• Richard Sandomir of the Times has the wrap-up on the day’s proceedings at the IDA.
• Tyler Kepner of the Times reports that the Yanks have been in talks with numerous teams regarding Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher:

Swisher, a 28-year-old switch-hitter, is two years younger than Nady and is signed for three more seasons at roughly $21 million. Nady, 30, is a right-handed hitter who is eligible for free agency after the season. He is represented by Scott Boras, who rarely agrees to a long-term deal before a player explores the open market.

Nady had a better season than Swisher last year, batting .305 with 25 home runs and 97 runs batted in — all career highs. Swisher had the worst of his five seasons, hitting just .219 with 24 homers and 69 R.B.I. But Swisher’s on-base percentage, .332, was actually better than Nady’s .320 figure over two months with the Yankees.

In that way, Swisher profiles better as the kind of player the Yankees seek for their lineup. He saw an average of 4.53 pitches per plate appearance last season, leading the major leagues in that category. Nady averaged 3.65 pitches per plate appearance. Among Yankees, only Robinson Canó (3.35 pitches) was worse.

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