FRIDAY: In addition to the Rangers and Mariners, the Orioles, Phillies, Giants, Braves, and Nationals all have some level of interest in Swisher, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Several clubs are willing to offer three years, and Heyman estimates an annual salary in the $11-13MM range.
THURSDAY: The Rangers, Mariners and three other teams have "serious interest" in free agent Nick Swisher, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Unsurprisingly, Swisher plans to reject the Yankees' qualifying offer and look for a long-term contract on the open market.
Swisher would have earned $13.3MM for 2013 had he accepted the Yankees' one-year qualifying offer, and in rejecting the deal, New York can now earn a compensatory draft pick if Swisher signs elsewhere. The Yankees extended qualifying offers to three of their free agents: Swisher, Rafael Soriano (who will decline) and Hiroki Kuroda.
Swisher has averaged 27 homers and an .836 OPS over the last seven seasons, thus making him in high demand amongst teams looking for power and help at first base or right field. Swisher was reportedly looking for a Jayson Werth-esque seven-year/$126MM contract, a number that might be hard to find unless it were to come from a team that may need to overpay to attract a top free agent hitter. The Mariners could be such a team, though they hope moving in the fences at Safeco Field will help.
The Rangers would likely use Swisher primarily at first base, though they could also have a hole in left field should Josh Hamilton leave in free agency. (ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Red Sox also value Swisher for his versatility.) Swisher's three unknown suitors probably don't include the Yankees, as there is reportedly little chance of Swisher returning to New York.
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
I’m sure he will get at least a 4 year deal maybe even 5 years from some team. Best Wishes to him. That will mean the Yankees will get another sandwich draft choice with both Swisher and Soriano turning down the Yankees qualifying offers. The only one I hope who accepts is Kuroda.
Agreed. Assuming Soriano and Swisher sign elsewhere, do the Yankees get back to back picks in that sandwich round? (and if Kuroda does the same, do they get 3 straight?)
I think the compensation picks go in the same order as the draft, yet I don’t know if multiple picks for one team are together or if they do it once through , then again in order,…etc untill all the teams are finished making their picks, kinda like a mini multi round draft in the sandwich round with teams dropping out as the amount of picks they have are used up..
I frankly don’t know, and couldn’t find any more info
I can’t fault them for that. Swisher is still a productive corner OFer who unlike Beltran, has stayed healthy over the year. This was the first time Swisher did not play 150 games since his rookie season (and he still played 148 games)
From 2006 – 2011, a 6 year span, Beltran only played 150 games 1 year, and that was 2011. He did it last year too of course but we are talking about going into last offseason.
Main reason he didnt play more games is because the Yankees had too many outfielders on the roster with Ibanez, Ichiro, Granderson, Jones and Gardner (before he got injured).
Axisa just responded to me about it on RAB, it would be consecutive picks, but the Yankees pick last in that round. It’s in Reverse Standings order
I think he’s incorrect on the Yankees picking last since Adam LaRoche could sign elsewhere also, and the Nats finished better than the Yankees. Although if he does re-sign with the Nationals, then the Yankees do in fact get the last picks.
Edit from above now. He responded back, he corrected it and mentioned the Nats would pick last (if LaRoche signed elsewhere) BUT the Yankees would not get consecutive picks. So say LaRoche, Swisher and Soriano go, the last 3 picks of the sandwich round go Yankees, Nationals, Yankees. If Kuroda goes too, that’s another last pick for the Yankees.
With Kuroda – it’s Japan or the Yankees – which means Yankees wouldn’t get a pick from Kuroda leaving.
3 tops he is an incredibly over rated player who’s attitude wears its self thin very fast
You’re thinking of the 2008 Nick Swisher when he was on your White Sox. He had a 1.3 WAR that year. For the last 7 years, he’s had at least a 3.2 WAR in every one of those years except, as mentioned, 2008. It was also the only year his wRC+ was under 100. Every other year in the past 7 years it’s been 122 or higher.
Yes he was bad that year but ask any Oakland fan, whitesox fan, Yankees fan, he i good during the regular season and disappears in the play offs, swinging away at strike 1 and watching strike 3
lol look at my post below where I said thanks for the good moments…in the regular season
Everyone knows he disappears in the playoffs. That’s not new news.
But he has very good regular season numbers. I don’t’ think he’s overrated, at least not in the regular season.
Later Nick. Thanks for the good moments….in the regular season.
Worst postseason hitter in New York Yankees History. He should have been let go of last year when Beltran was on the market and willing to come to New York for the second time. The Yankees opted instead to exercise Swisher’s option and it was a big mistake. He’s a good guy and a great hitter during regular season play, but it was time to see him go.
Beltran is good, but I don’t think Beltran would’ve won you those 4 games…
Rangers, Mariners, Red Sox, Orioles, Braves would be my guess of teams interested
I’d bet the Giants are at least expressing interest right now. I highly doubt they end up with him, but Swisher and Pence in the corners with Blanco starting in center could be a viable plan C or D if they can’t keep Pagan or sign another CF.
Sounds about right, especially Atlanta. I think they’ll make him an offer.
Don’t count out the padres, they are looking to add an outfielder
Swisher in PETCO would be a disaster for both sides.
I predicted the Braves would end up with Swisher and Span to fill their OF vacancies, but I’m not so sure now. He “seems” like a Rangers type of player.
Yankees are going to be in a very nice spot this coming draft with the addition of some much needed draft picks.
Unless he signs with the Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Twins, Indians, Marlins, Red Sox, Royals, Pirates, or Jays. All have protected picks.
Is that how it works? Under this system the teams don’t get the other teams picks and they just disappear. Why wouldn’t the team that loses someone still get a pick?
They will get the same pick no matter who the player signs with. Disregard John’s comment.
Yep, just the top 10 teams if sign him lose their 2nd round pick.
And if enough different teams lose picks it will move the yankees up. Sandwich rounds could move down into the mid 20’s overall picks.
They get a compensation pick between the 1st and 2nd round.
@JWait:disqus
No more sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds. A team with a protected draft pick lose their next highest draft pick, which is their 2nd round pick.
I think people forget that if a team with a protected pick signs multiple free agents, they lose their 2nd and 3rd round picks in the order of their signings.
“A Club that signs a player subject to compensation will forfeit its first round selection, unless it selects in the top 10, in which case it will forfeit its second highest selection in the draft.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/2011_CBA.pdf
Disregard johns comment
absolutely they will . Now, the question is how do we get Cashman and Oppenheimer to make the most of the additional picks? They need to do their due dillgence and pick much better players
Enjoy Pittsburgh Swish!
Pirates are not spending any sort of big money this offseason.
Swisher would be a great addition for my loved Mariners. I think they have enough to make a serious play for both Swisher and Hamilton. Combined with the new fences 2013 could be a good year fot the M´s…
Signing both Swisher and Hamilton will cost at least 40 mil per year. The Mariners had an 85 million dollar payroll in 2012 and have about 50 mil committed to 8 players for 2013 with a half dozen of guys who aren’t yet arbitration eligible also likely to be on the roster. Signing Swisher and Hamilton would probably put them at about a 100 million dollar payroll with a handful of roster spots still open. I think its likely they pursue both guys, but I doubt they even want to wind up with both of them.
They announced that the payrolll will be higher than 91 millions. Probably 95M or something. I agree with you that signing both is not realistic, but I´d be happy with one of them and one or two more bats via trade…
Yea, I know they said they’d be willing to increase payroll. I just don’t think its realistic for any team that isn’t the Red Sox, Dodgers, Yankees or maybe the Phillies to expect to ever have a real shot at signing two of the top 5 free agent hitters.
Cubs maybe? After trimming some payroll I could see Theo making a surprise attack on the FA market if there’s decent talent. This is not coming from a Cubs fan by the way.
We’ll give you Adam Lind, Yunel Escobar, and a prospect for Felix? #pipedream
For Felix’s autograph?
Yazpik is right. The M’s could be looking to reach $100M payroll this year. I’d put the odds of signing both Swisher and Hamilton at 100,000:1 but theoretically, I believe the M’s would be able to achieve this if they somehow managed to convince both to come to Seattle. They’d probably lose some players they’d wish to retain otherwise, though.
You would love swisher….until you make the playoffs
Loved swish as a player and a person. Great teammate and clubhouse guy.
I’ll going to enjoy the 1st round picks we get from him and Soriano though.
Our icons are both so similar! Long live the Bambino.
Bambino is a G. Boy those first round picks this year are going to be nice eh?
sandwich picks, you don’t get other team’s first rounders anymore. they just lose them, all compensation picks come between the 1st and 2nd round now
Thnx for the clearup
which, in it’s own way, is kinda like an extended first round….I guess
What’s “between the 1st and 2nd round”?…Round 1.5?
Sandwich round, at least that’s what the picks awarded between the first and second round used to be called
the question is will the yanks sign any players were they gotta give up picks..
If a team gains a compensatory pick by a former player signing elsewhere, then loses a pick by signing, do the compensatory picks cancel, or do they lose their first round, and get a compensation pick?
no, they would lose their first round pick and obtain the appropriate comp pick I believe.
Thanks Swishalicious but buyer beware .169 post season BA and .305 OPS in 151 ABs tells the story. He will help you get to 90 wins but disappear in the playoffs.
Hope the Yankees can build a more diversified offense.
Well, I wouldn’t call the Mariners a playoff team next year. Then again, after what the O’s and A’s did, surprises certainly happen.
The Mariners are not concerned about post-season stats at this point or probably for a few more years.
Glad to see Swish go, but now that leaves the burning question. With the team’s insistence of staying under the luxury cap, who will fill the RF void?
Barring a trade for an OFer, I think they will sign Ichiro to a 1 year deal
I don’t know, having a 40 year old outfielder with a .300 OBP is not terribly appealing, even though Ichiro did play very well during his time with the teeam
Later nick…..hello torii
Later nick swisher….hello torri hunter
Perhaps on a one-year deal with some sort of option. Anything more than that is unwise.
Not sure why you think they will get Hunter. I see them with an outfield of Granderson in left Gardner in center and Ichiro in right as more of a possibility. Personally I think that is their best option.
That’s all the Rangers need, another hitter who can’t hit in the postseason.
Gonna miss him maybe there’s a chancre he comes back with fair deal. They need someone in right Austin, slade won’t be next yr.
Rangers. 1B + OF and can draw a walk.
Swisher isn’t going back to New York. No Chance.
As for Swish playing 1st base, I wonder if the Rangers would have even considered him (if this rumor is true) before the Orioles series when Swisher replaced Tex.
The Yankees could have played Raul Ibanez there, he too is solid at 1st.
In some ways the Yankees helped ‘Ol Nick out. Should be interesting to see what happens.
Since when is Raul Ibanez a solid 1B? The last time he played more than 1 game in a season at 1B was 2005. (he played 1 game at 1B in 2010) His career UZR at 1B (1021 innings) is -4.7
That one game in 2010 was more like an inning or two after Scott Barry thought it was a good idea to instigate with Ryan Howard only to throw him out.
… and he dropped a ball on a double play I think, so he isn’t very solid. (although granted, he didn’t practice at all).
I agree there’s little chance that Swisher returns to the Yankees but Brian Cashman did say today (I believe) that he’s hoping to retain him. That could easily just put it on Nick if he doesn’t return, but that also points to the Yankees possibly being one of the teams interested.
He’s better off gone. Once the Bleacher Creatures start ragging on you it’s petty hard to recover.
Those are five teams that do not care how they do in the post season. Bye, bye Nick.
There are teams that care just as much about MAKING the playoffs as much as playoff success. In that regard Swisher is an extremely valuable player
A long term $100 Mil. contract is for someone who doesn’t CHOKE in the postseason.
would you take him back at 3/33 though?
I wouldn’t be upset at a 3-4 year deal worth $12-$13 million a year. I think Swisher’s exactly the type hitter the Phillies need. In addition, he gives them some depth in the event Ryan Howard has to miss time for whatever reason.
Excited to finally hear some published evidence of the Braves being interested in Nick Swisher that isn’t just Bowman or DOB speculation. I’d love to have him!!!
Nationals huh? Doesn’t make much sense.
A Raul-type deal is what he is worth (3/33)
One thing I think it’s key to note with Swisher is that he actually had a higher OPS on the road last year. I assumed his power had a lot to do with Yankees stadium, but 13 of his 24 homers were on the road. He’s probably the second best hitter on the market, since there’s no guarantee which LaRoche or Napoli will show up in 2013. At 31 years old, a 3 year 36 million dollar deal is more than fair, I’d love to see him in a Giants uniform, as a fan of the team.
I gotta say, the Rangers continue to impress me. I really like what they are doing. Swisher would be a beast in that lineup and park. If I ever gave up on my Mets, I’d have to consider the Rangers.
i thought he was looking for jason werth money! anything close to 3 years 33 mil would be a steal i think. he has very good splits and is still in prime of his career and is good leader
He’ll probably get around 4/60.
Probably out of the Giants price range, unless Pagan leaves (not unlikely). Swisher’s power would be intriguing though.
Gosh, I was scared for a minute: I didn’t see that the Red Sox had an interest in Nick Swisher. Then I read that they “valued his versatility”.
I wouldn’t know how to react if there were a report of a FA that the Red Sox weren’t possibly looking over.
Guessing he would play left in atlanta. No chance heyward would be in center for an extended period of time. If gattis is the real deal then he will be blocked. Guess thats a good problem to have. Would rather they get a centerfielder and then get a stop gap in left
Swisher is not bad on paper, and i heard hes a good clubhouse guy but I hope the orioles stay away from nick swisher, especially with over 10 mill a year. I’d rather resign nate mcclouth since his glove is a hundred times better than swishers
That’s a very interesting theory about Swisher: I’d rather resign nate mcclouth since his glove is a hundred times better than swishers.
Well considering that Nick Swisher started for the New York Yankees all season long and McLouth was let go by the Pirates and toiled with the Oriole AAA affliate for awhile before being called up by Duquette and the Gang. Like I said your theory is interesting, but not necessarily good.
if you are talking defense only, i think it’s fair to say Mcclouth is a better outfielder, maybe not 100 times better but better.
No thanks,
-Nationals fan
Please don’t let him come to Atlanta.
6 teams interested?
“FRIDAY: In addition to the 1-Rangers and 2-Mariners, the 3-Orioles, 4-Phillies, 5-Giants, 6-Braves, and 7-Nationals all have some level of interest in Swisher…”
From this Braves fan…NO THANKS!
I would of generally said absolutely not to Swisher but at 3/31, it seems like you sign him right away.
It’s amazing how many people are saying “DEAR (insert team of fandom), STAY AWAY FROM SWISHER PLZ!” when the guy has averaged a .367 OBP in his last four years, and with his away splits being better than his home splits, so he at least wasn’t a product of Yankee Stadium.
As a Mariners fan, I would kill for that kind of consistency in our lineup, and then if you add his ability to hold down a corner outfield position and first base? Sign me up! 3/31? I’d have no problem stretching that deal to 5 years, between 50-60 million, and be totally okay with it.
I doubt he takes 3/31. I would think he will receive a 4 or 5 year deal at around $14 million per. So 4 years $56 million or 5 $70 million? Some team will overpay.He declined the 13.3 qualifying offer so I would assume 14 would at least be the starting point.
Not necessarily. Declining a qualifying offer just means he’s looking for the security of a multi-year contract. 4/44 might not be a 13.3 AAV, but it sure as hell beats getting “only” 13M guaranteed.
Braves… Swisher???? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE say you are joking!!!!!
Swisher would have got 13.3 if he accepted – so it’ll be interesting to see what he gets on the open market.
I have Swisher going to Baltimore
Swisher is over-rated. So, my Braves will probably end up with him… ugh.
I would like to see AA pursue Swisher to be our LF. In addition to his power from both sides of the plate, plate patience, and clutch ability, he’s the vocal leader that a young team like the Jays could use, especially after all that controversy emerged at the end of the season.
if he is going to accept a 3 year 33 million deal or even 39 million, i would imagine the red sox would be interested as well. 1B/RF/LF are all holes for them and he can play them all. though he would require a draft pick.
hey roll over rover if you like playing for the yanks you better jump on it
Is he looking to have a no post season clause in his new contract?
Well the M’s could use an upgrade in offensive production and since no one else wants him, why the hell not? It’s not like Casper Wells or Trayvon Robinson, as much as I like them, are better long-term solutions.
Tough to be a fiscally responsible GM these days. BJ Upton looking at over 10 mil a year for a guy who hit 28 HRs but had a OBP under 300 (may have be the worst in baseball for a regular). Swisher is a switch hitter, very good OBP, mediocre defense but can play 1B, 20-25 HR…I guess thats worth 12-15 mil per. Maybe if its only 3 years. Michael Bourn looking at 12-15 mil per and his numbers are almost identical to Denard Span last year (would Span get 12-15 mil on the open market?) I don’t think so (even though he is younger). I guess thats the price you pay these days.
As a Braves fan, I like Swisher but can’t pay 15 mil year. Would rather keep Bourn for that money. The length of the contract is the main thing…you can overpay in the short term but if you give him big money for 5-6 years and he turns into a bust, it can really hinder a franchise. Yanks can spend their way out of trouble, a few teams can, most can’t. 3/36 at most. Last time Braves overspent for a FA, that would be Derek Lowe. Lets not repeat that.