The Yankees are likely to pick up Nick Swisher's $10.25MM option for 2012 and stay out of the bidding for free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, according to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News. Though it looks like they'll stick with Swisher, no decisions have been finalized, according to McCarron. Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com reported yesterday that the Yankees are considering Beltran as an option in right field.
Swisher, 30, posted a .260/.374/.449 line with 23 home runs in 2011, while Beltran posted a .300/.385/.525 line with 22 homers. Beltran cannot be offered arbitration, so he won't cost a draft pick despite his Type A free agent ranking. It doesn't sound as though the Yankees would pursue both switch-hitters, but if necessary they could flip Swisher for pitching after signing Beltran.
Wait wait wait, they’re going to go with the younger, more consistent, more healthy player? SHOCKING.
pleasantly shocking.
I don’t know how I read this as “unlikely to retain Swisher”. In my mind it went from a good story to a non-story.
So at least one person in the media has the sense to not listen to ridiculous rumors? Color me surprised.
Swisher’s sweet compared to Beltran
I see what you did there.
Swisher is good, not great…I’d prefer someone w/ a little more upside at this point but not many good alternatives
I’d rather wait until next year and go after Kemp or Ethier.
Let the Red Sox have Ethier. Huuuuuge platoon split, bad at defense.
that is what they Yanks are waiting for . Don’t forget Hamilton and Victorino
Who is available that would only be with the team for a year, and is better than Swisher? Beltran if he’s healthy and everything goes right might be, but I doubt everything will go right and you’d have to have him for another 2-3 years.
I think Swisher is really underrated in a lot of ways. He makes the play on that Freese flyball that Cruz turned into a triple last night.
I’m not a huge Swisher fan, but I agree that he makes that play last night. He’s not the greatest RF’er but he’s not afraid to attack the wall. Cruz is more than likely hurt and didn’t want to make matters worse on that play and paid the price.
As for the option, I would prefer Beltran on a 2 yr@ $25MM deal. Beltran and Boras can’t really dictate the terms anymore, after the last few years. They may start at a high level, but will have to come back to earth in terms of salary. If He could be had at that price, I would sign him over Swisher, despite the lower price.
If they don’t retain Swish, I want him in RF for the Sox.
I would absolutely love to have Swisher back in 2012. I know he’s come up short the last two post-seasons but he’s the last person I would blame for “us” falling short. With Arod, Tex, Jeter, Grandy, Cano, Posada, Gardner, etc it just seems silly to assert that our failures fell at the feet of Swish.
Let’s ride with him in 2012 and see where we go after the season when Kemp, Hamilton and PERHAPS a healthy Sizemore might be on the market.
I agree with everything you said, so don’t take this the wrong way, but I have to point out that there is at least a reasonable chance that both Kemp and Hamilton are extended and don’t reach free agency, and there is a more than reasonable chance that Sizemore isn’t healthy when (if) he does. That wouldn’t leave anyone in next years free agent class that is as good as Beltran would be (or Swisher for that matter), so that’s something to at least consider.
My bad. I meant to emphasize the “MIGHT” be available part.
**corrected**
a 1 series sample size is hardly anything to get worked up over.
Trade for Allen Craig. Nuf said
Oh, thank God.
one of the most overrated ball players that I can remember
Ricky Nolasco for Nick Swisher?
It’s hard to argue that Beltran wouldn’t be an offensive improvement over Swisher however Swisher’s durability (150 games a year in NY and 150+ in all but his first 2 seasons in the Majors) is a huge plus for an aging team. I think there is something to be said for a bottom half of the order bat that is in there everyday.
That being said it is a little unnerving that Swisher tends to disappear in the Post and in big spots. This being his walk year he could find himself pressing in every game as he swings for his supper with each at bat.
If he’s swinging for his supper after getting a 10+ million dollar option picked up (not to mention with his actress wifes salary) they will have done something immensely wrong.
Good to know, I still don’t think this is the yankees year, 2013 or 2014 will be. With 2012 being AJ’s last season (i’m pretty sure) we can spend that money on Kemp/Hamles/Danks. Also, by 2013 the B’s will already have had some big league experience, and will be ready to go. Not to mention Montero going into his prime and Romine also getting consistent time for development.
Every year is the Yankees year. That’s what happens when they have so much money.
2013 is AJ’s last season. I don’t think Cashman/Steinbrenner’s would agree to releasing a player getting paid that much. Even for a year. More likely they move him to the bullpen.
By then, I predict Banuelos makes it to the rotation. I really don’t think Betances makes it anywhere with that command and those mechanics. His mechanics just look awful. While Banuelos, apparently, has smooth mechanics.
Montero will be 23 and 24 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. No where near his prime.
24 might not prime, but the way his bat has progressed and the way he played in limited time this year, numbers close to .300, 30 100 in his 3rd season in the league would not completely surprise me.
Betances still projects as a 2, as we’ve learned, mechanics aren’t everything. The stuff is there, but like you said he has to learn to control it.