Another day,  another member of the Oakland Athetics dealt.

Oakland just traded Nick Swisher to the White Sox for Gio Gonzalez, Fautino De Los Santos, and Ryan Sweeney.   This is a solid trade for both parties, but it taps the rest of the farm system for Oakland, leaving Aaron Poveda the lone prospect in Chicago's farm system.

So what does Oakland get?

• Faustino De Los Santos (RHP) - A very good, high ceiling player for the Athletics, De Los Santos is a stud pitching prospect that could be a Number Two for Oakland, given three years or so.  He's the gem of his deal.
• Gio Gonzalez (LHP) - A little lefty with solid stuff that should be a middle of the rotation presence for Oakland.  He'll slot right in on Opening Day and should fit comfortably behind Joe Blanton, provided he doesn't get traded first. 
• Ryan Sweeney (CF) - Another centerfield option, I felt that the Rangers should give Sweeney a shot.  He's got massive power potential, but hasn't translated it into performance.  Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus feels he's a fourth outfielder, but ESPN's Keith Law believes a change in organizations could be beneficial.  He'll also likely open with Oakland's Opening Day squad.

Oakland now is in full fledged rebuilding mode and with all of their outfield talent and first base locked up, Swisher was likely the next one to go after Joe Blanton, due to his service time and reasonable contract ($3.5 Million in 2008, $5.3 Million in 2009, $6.75 Million in 2010, $9 Million in 2011, and a $10.25 Million club option for 2012 with a $1 Million buyout.)

With Swisher, who will be the White Sox's starting centerfielder, the Pale Hose get a very good player who can handle center, steal some bases, draw some walks, hit some homers and strikeout a whole lot.  Still, getting him for cheap for five years makes the losses of Gonzalez and De Los Santos managable.

However, is it wise for the White Sox to try and contend this season?  Their ballclub is much improved, but the lack of pitching and bullpen depth for the White Sox, plus the fact that the Tigers and Indians are going to be kick ass means that Chicago, at best, is a third place team and at worse will be battling the Royals again for fourth place in the division and for the Number Two overall pick.

Good move for both sides, however.  Oakland gets more prospects (and an updated Top 15 Prospects List Next Week) and Chicago gets a good player signed at a long term price.

Oakland Grade - A

Chicago Grade - A-

On a side note, does it seem that Oakland and Florida will be competing next season to see who can field the cheapest team?  Both squads seem to be moving anyone making more than the Major League Minimum, though Oakland has several bad contracts (Chavez, Kotsay, Crosby) weighing them down.