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New York Yankees: Nick Swisher preparing for minor league deal with former team

By Tim Haberin

Mar 12, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Nick Swisher (23) walks onto the field during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Nick Swisher (23) walks onto the field during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nick Swisher is reportedly getting ready to sign a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. Does the fun-loving outfielder have anything left in the tank for his former club?

Could a Nick Swisher reunion be in the cards for the New York Yankees? According to YES Network clubhouse reporter Meredith Marakovits, the outfielder is preparing for a potential minor league contract with his former team:

Swisher was released by the Atlanta Braves before the start of the regular season. His first stint with the Yanks seemed like a perfect example of acquiring and getting rid of a player at precisely the right moments. Swisher was coming off a rather ugly 2008 campaign with the Chicago White Sox (.219/.332/.410) when Yankees GM Brian Cashman swung a trade for him for a package highlighted by utility infielder Wilson Betemit.

Over the next four years in New York, Swisher enjoyed arguably his best run as a major leaguer. From 2009-2012, he slashed .268/.367/.483 with totals of 105 home runs and 349 RBIs (averaging 26 homers and 87 RBIs per season). He helped lead the team to a World Series title in 2009 and earned the first and only All-Star appearance of his career the following season as a Final Vote candidate.

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Swisher inked a four-year, $56 million pact with the Cleveland Indians prior to the 2013 season, at which point his production took a serious nosedive. During the last three years in Cleveland and Atlanta, Swisher managed a paltry .224/.315/.373 line with only 36 homers and 130 RBIs in total. He also missed 151 games the past two seasons due to a series of knee injuries that required surgery.

At age 35, it’s not unreasonable to wonder if Swisher really has anything left to offer a big league team. According to WFAN reporter Sweeny Murti, the Yanks view him as an option at designated hitter, first base and in the outfield. That multi-purpose role is currently manned by Dustin Ackley, who frankly seems like a better bet to produce moving forward.

Swisher, however, would be cheap depth at the minor league level in case of injury or an unexpected resurgence at the plate. The Indians and Braves are responsible for nearly all of his remaining salary, and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman says the Yankees will only pay Swisher a pro-rated portion of the MLB minimum.

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Nevertheless, this move feels more like taking a flyer on an old friend and fan favorite than bringing in a player who has a legitimate chance of helping the big league squad in 2016. New York Daily News beat writer Mark Feinsand reports that Swisher’s deal will include a June 15 opt-out if he is still at Triple-A.

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