APRIL 13: Swisher’s deal is now official, tweets Feinsand. He’s on his way to Scranton and will be in the starting lineup there on Thursday.
APRIL 9: Nick Swisher is working out at the Yankees’ minor-league complex, and the team will likely sign him to a minor-league deal, Chad Jennings of LoHud.com tweets. Swisher will receive a June 15 opt-out if he isn’t in the Majors by then, according to Mark Feinsand of the Daily News (On Twitter). Swisher is a client of MVP Sports Group.
The Braves released Swisher late last month. He’s owed $15MM for 2016, but the Braves and Indians will be on the hook for the vast majority of that amount. The $56MM deal to which the Indians signed Swisher prior to the 2013 season has not gone well, to say the least — he’s produced just a .224/.315/.373 batting line since then, also producing little in the way of defensive value while splitting his time between outfield, first base and DH.
Swisher enjoyed better days with the Yankees from 2009 through 2012, batting .268/.367/.483 with 105 home runs in his tenure in New York and playing on four straight playoff teams, including the Yanks’ 2009 championship squad. At this point, though, it’s unclear how much gas the 35-year-old has left in the tank, or how he might now fit on a 2016 team that has Alex Rodriguez at DH, Mark Teixeira at first and Brett Gardner, Carlos Beltran, Dustin Ackley and others to play the corner outfield positions.
I’m assuming they’re looking at Swisher as insurance in case Teixeira gets hurt. Ackley is terrible defensively and isn’t much of a hitter, either.
Not in case, when
What a better clubhouse guy to have in the minors. Even if he doesn’t play that much.
Excellent point !
Interested in coaching in his future ?
Sharp enuf to coach ?
Good*
Swishalicious isn’t done yet folks
Yes he is done. He has been done for a few years now. He adds no value. If he winds up in your starting lineup that is not a good thing. He is a bench player. Period.
Yeah, I think everyone knows this. It was just a sweet chance to use a sweet nickname. Feel free to laugh
I’m sure there has to be a reason for this? I might think the gas tank has been showing red for some time.
Woo hoo World Series bound now!
I understand you want to have depth but this move leaves me puzzled in every way. He cant play the field with his bad knee’s and his bat had been gone for 2 or 3 years already. I dont see how he can even help the minor league team at this point other then be a mentor for the young guys. I really hate to see him make the 40 man roster. You will need to unload someone who I am sure has way more upside the Swish.
Good point Mark. It is a waste of a 40 man roster spot
I know the move doesnt make sense on the surface but it isn’t the worst move in the world. For the veterans minimum you have a guy stashed in the minors in case the injury bug shows up. June 15th is a ways away and a lot can happen before then to your roster and honestly he was starting to show some life in Spring Training. He won’t give you production like his last Yankee run but it is not much money to add insurance
You are right it makes no sense on the surface but you then say its a good move? Insurance for what? He stinks. Period. Ever scout sees it. You say he was starting to show life at the end of spring training like that is some basis to waste a 40 man roster spot or some indication he does not suck? What does that mean anyway, did he get a few hits the last week? What about the majority of spring training when he sucked. How about the last few years in the majors when he sucked. Maybe the reality is he sucks. Thus I agree it makes no sense on the surface or under the surface. Stupid wasteful move by a team always looking for the “name” the old guy. There is a reason the Yankees are an old tired team. Moves like this.
Worst case, he takes a 40 spot when a player gets hurt and comes to major ons minimum deal and doesn’t perform and they release him. Best case, he has a decent year like Beltran last year and helps when we lose someone for season. No minor deal is stupid, only can be neutral or positive move
Stick a fork in him. He’s done
It’s gonna be like James Loney situation. A place where he is comfortable and able to rehab and get at bats every game and not a lot of pressure
What is the problem here with criticizing this move? You are giving an ex-player who had a very good stint with the Yanks, a chance to recover his health and maybe his game. As I have said before, I have very fond memories of Swisher’s former stay with the Yanks. If he returns to his previous form, its a coup for the team; if his form doesn’t return, it was a nice things for the Yanks to do.
What happened to my comment. It showed as submitted
I hope he’s on the Tampa Yankees roster for a while. We’re heading down there to catch a few TY and Rays games.
He certainly looks done, but he wouldn’t be the first guy to find a little bit of fuel sloshing around in the bottom of the tank… And, a one-legged widow from Bulgaria could hit a HR in Yankee Stadium. If he’s going to provide any value in the majors, that might the the place to do it.
I agree with others on this. I do think Swish is done. But that being said , wouldn’t he have some value as a bench player? Or to fill in spots at first and DH if absolutely needed? If it doesn’t work out he gets released at the end of June. No harm no foul. It’s on the Indians and Braves dime anyways?
PS I honestly think Ackley is more of a waste of space.
I wish the Tigers got swisher instead for minor league players. He would be a great backup that could be a LF backup