Swarzak is glad to be a contender
WASHINGTON - At this time of year, there’s nothing better for a player than being traded from a last-place team to a contending team.
Yes, professionals are expected to perform equally well no matter how their teams are faring, but anyone will tell you the adrenaline rush and fun factor both rise when you jump into a playoff race. Accordingly, reliever Anthony Swarzak was elated upon learning the Chicago White Sox traded him to the Brewers.
“My reaction was pure excitement,” said Swarzak, who joined the Brewers on Thursday morning before their series finale against Washington. “This is a special opportunity, something I wasn’t really expecting coming into the season.
“Some of the best things in life come at you unexpectedly. I’m excited to be here.”
The 31-year-old righthander didn’t know many of the Brewers personally but said he was aware of the way they have played this season and the camaraderie that was built along the way.
“From everything I’ve seen up to this point, these guys don’t give in,” said Swarzak, who was acquired in exchange for minor-league outfielder Ryan Cordell. “They play hard. They play the game the right way. Everyone is hustling. It is fun to watch.
“I’m excited to be part of it. It seems like the guys like to have fun, and so do I.”
The Brewers, who were whipped, 15-2, by the Nationals to finish an awful 2-8 trip, have been building their farm system for the past two-plus years in hopes of being competitive more regularly and weren’t expected to contend this year. By making a move for a veteran player at this point, Swarzak said that sends a good message to both players and fans.
“I think that’s a good thing. That means your big-league team is winning,” he said. “The rebuild stuff is huge in baseball right now just because prospects are holding a lot of weight these days. But it’s nice to see an organization make an adjustment midway through the season and carry everything toward winning.
“They come into the season with a certain goal in mind, and next thing you know, you’re winning. You look at the standings and you’re on top. It speaks volumes to the organization to make a switch and realize that. That’s all you want as a player – to win now.”
Swarzak was on the radar of many clubs while putting together the best season of his career. In 41 appearances with the White Sox, he posted a 2.23 ERA – less than half of his career norm of 4.52 in six previous seasons – while striking out 52 hitters in 481⁄3 innings and limiting opponents to a .216 batting average.
Asked what allowed that breakthrough at this stage, Swarzak said, “Hard work. That’s really the only way to explain it, for me. Hard work always pays off. I’ve been getting after it the last few years and I’m starting to get the results.
“I know I’m headed in the right direction. Hopefully, now I can do that with the Brewers. I’ll contribute any way I can. I’ll take the ball whenever they want me to. All I want to do is help the team win and do my part.”
Better showing: Rookie outfielder Brett Phillips, sent back to Class AAA Colorado Springs to open a roster spot for Swarzak, looked more comfortable in his second stint with the Brewers and made more contributions.
“I told him, his second time up, ‘You showed us something that we can be excited about,’ ” manager Craig Counsell said. “It was a good stay for him and a productive stay.”
Phillips, who hit his first two major-league home runs during that second stay, said, “I felt more comfortable. Hopefully, the next time I’ll feel even more comfortable.
"I’ve got to go down and take care of business in Triple-A, if I want there to be a next time. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Phillips admitted it was tough to go back down while the Brewers are fighting for playoff position but said he hoped to be back to help at some point.
“These guys are grinding and I was grinding with them, trying to do everything I could to help the team win,” he said. “I know each and every one of these guys are doing everything they can to win.”