Anthony Swarzak to Brewers; Sox receive Ryan Cordell

[Butter Parque]

Meh, but who the hell expected to get anything for Swarzak 3 months ago?

[Heads22]

Outside of his first crack at AA there isn't a ton to hate.

[R.J.]

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Cordell was a two-way player as a Liberty freshman before becoming a full-time hitter and leading the Flames to their first NCAA regional final in 2013, the same year he signed with the Rangers for $100,000 as an 11th-round Draft pick. He totaled 31 homers and 41 steals in his first two full pro seasons but struggled in 2015 in his first taste of Double-A. He fared better last season in his return to that level, posting an .803 OPS with a career-high 19 homers, only to be traded to the Brewers in early September as the PTBNL in the Trade Deadline deal that had sent Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress to Texas.

 

Cordell has long stood out for his athleticism and tools, four of which have the potential to grade as at least average. He has the bat speed and strength to hit for power from the right side, and he's shown the feel for hitting and sound approach to produce solid batting averages. Cordell struggles to control the strike zone and has swing-and-miss tendencies, though he's also shown an ability to make adjustments throughout his career. Cordell has plus speed that makes him a threat on the basepaths, and he's efficient when he chooses to run.

 

Cordell played six positions in the Rangers' system including third base and shortstop, but the Brewers plan to deploy him in the outfield exclusively moving forward. Though he's a rangy defender in center field, Cordell likely will see time at all three outfield spots given Milwaukee's surplus of toolsy center fielders. His athleticism and power-speed combo make him an ideal fourth outfielder in the big leagues.

[daa84]

comparable to tilson probably (in quality of return, not player type) I'll take it - a guy who can at least play until the younger prospects are ready, and maybe he can become a .250/.320 18HR guy

Edited July 25, 2017 by daa84

[Baron]

Certainly not a bad return. Might as well see what he can do at 25.

[witesoxfan]

I'm OK with that return.

[Hatchetman]

initial reaction is yuck. Would rather some 19 year old in low A.

[Dick Allen]

I am kind of surprised the Sox couldn't do a little better.

[TheFutureIsNear]

Sounds like Engel but actually capable of hitting...I'll take it. Swarzak is going to be overpaid in a few months anyway and won't be on the team anyway

[dasox24]

I'm cool with it.

[Heads22]

initial reaction is yuck. Would rather some 19 year old in low A.

 

This dude has a much better chance of actually making a roster. He may come up when Melky goes.

[flavum]

Danny Farquhar, come on down!

[Butter Parque]

I assume he'll be up when Melky is gone?

[illinilaw08]

This dude has a much better chance of actually making a roster. He may come up when Melky goes.

 

This. With the glut of OFs in the lower levels, a guy who will head straight to AAA and probably to the majors shortly thereafter fills an organizational need. Plus, even though it's in the PCL, low K numbers and decent power feels like a pretty solid return.

[ChiSox59]

Meh. Certainly not exciting but whatever. Looks like he is currently on DL.

[dasox24]

This dude has a much better chance of actually making a roster. He may come up when Melky goes.

My thought as well... Plus, Swarzak is a rental. I actually expected less, like someone in the 25-30 range. If Cordell can be a solid 4th OF type, then great. Otherwise, no real loss.

[Jose Abreu]

Ryan McGuffey‏

@RyanMcGuffey

 

I could see the #WhiteSox calling up Reynaldo Lopez to start Thursday's game and bump Mike Pelfrey to 'pen. Lopez to pitch for CLT tomorrow

[dasox24]

@JeffPassan 8m8 minutes ago

Ryan Cordell, who's headed to the White Sox for Anthony Swarzak, an under-the-radar favorite for a lot of scouts. Big-league-ready-now guy.

 

@JeffPassan 2m2 minutes ago

How rebuilding is done: Sign guy in late January to minor league deal (Swarzak), turn him into legit prospect (Cordell). Bravo, White Sox.

 

Well said, Passan.

[Chisoxfn]

The write-up sounds promising, that said, his weakness is not an area that the White Sox development team has excelled at. All things considered, I'll take it for the flyer that Anthony S was. Presume we will see him with the big league club for a good chunk of the 2nd half of the season.

[southsider2k5]

We are getting a borderline starting OF or potential supersub for a guy that is a free agent in three months with zero track record? I am good with that.

[bmags]

The write-up sounds promising, that said, his weakness is not an area that the White Sox development team has excelled at. All things considered, I'll take it for the flyer that Anthony S was.

 

Seems like he made big progress on Brewers system. Could be a fun watch.

[iWiN4PreP]

Yeah, I think it would have been nice to package players, but if this is the best that we can do -- i'll take it.

 

Let's be real, there is a ton of relivers on the market right now and Swarzak is just a rental and an unknown in terms of longevity. Smart move from both sides here.

 

[username]

This guy is realistically perfect for where we are in the rebuild. Let him soak up ABs and if he becomes something, great. Were he an A-ball guy he'd be stuck in the logjam down there.

[BaconOnAStick]

Gives them another guy to play in the outfield before the big time prospects start beating down the door. He has some versatility, which never hurts.

[Chicago White Sox]

Longenhagen had him as the 12st best prospect in a pretty solid Brewers system. I really like the fact that he's essentially major league ready and actually has good all-round tools. There is some upside here and for a team that could be patching together an OF for the next two years, he's a great guy to gamble on.