The Oakland Athletics continue to rebuild their team, trading Nick Swisher to the Chicago White Sox today for Gio Gonzalez, Fautino De Los Santos and Ryan Sweeney. Swish batted .262 with 22 homers and 78 RBIs in 150 games in 2007. Ryan Sweeney is a 22 year old outfielder with little big league experience but a heralded prospect, Gonzalez, 22, led Minor League Baseball last year in strikeouts, and De Los Santos, 21, pitched only in the White Sox Single A Affiliate in 2007.

On the White Sox website general manager Kenny Williams had this to say on the trade: “Nick is a quality switch hitter who consistently gets on base, hits for power and drives in runs, he gives Ozzie Guillen offensive flexibility with his ability to hit in a number of spots up and down the batting order, and his athleticism allows him to play any outfield position or first base. Nick brings to the ballpark a mix of hard-nosed play, energy and a commitment to winning, and he brings it each and every day. He’s a great addition to our team and clubhouse.”

I’d say that this trade is even more surprising than the blockbuster Dan Haren trade just a couple of weeks ago. So far this off-season the A’s have acquired 9 top prospects, there’s no doubt that GM Billy Beane is willing to cut his losses and move on from the disappointing 2007 season. So while A’s fans may want to skip on purchasing 2007 season tickets, they’ll have competitive baseball to look forward to in 2009 and beyond.

This trade also gives the impression that there is no Oakland Athletic not available for a trade. In the book Moneyball Beane claims that he’d have taken Swisher with the first pick in the 2002 draft. It’d appear that Swisher’s 131 strikeouts in 2007 ended Beane’s adoration of Swisher.  Though they may have a down year in 08 you can rest assured that the Oakland Athletics will not be held down for long.