Nick Swisher?

[Lintyfresh85]

The Yankees are "quietly" letting teams know that Nick Swisher is available, says Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Swisher is owed $15.75 million over the next two seasons, with a $10.25 club option for 2012, a pretty reasonable contract considering what he was worth in 2009. The 28-year-old outfielder batted .249/.371/.498 with 29 homers, 89 RBI with a career-high .869 OPS. Remember, the Yankees dangled Swisher in trade talks after acquiring him last winter, so it's no surprise to see his name come up again. We're a long way from seeing him being dealt, but the Yankees could have a say in Matt Holliday or Jason Bay after all.

Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter

Swisher would be the ideal RF for the Nats this coming season. Only problem I see is I'm not sure what the Nats could offer of value that the Yankees would want.

If the Nats could somehow swing Swisher for a player or two whose name is not Dunn or Willingham, I think the line up would be particularly nasty next season.

Imagine this...

1. Morgan
2. Hudson/Polanco/Guzman
3. Zimmerman
4. Dunn
5. Willingham
6. Swisher
7. Flores
8. Guzman/Desmond/FA

Swisher fits perfectly with the Nats.

Pro's
+ He's a league average defender (even better on a good year) - won't hurt the Nats!
+ He's a switch hitter who put up career splits of .809 OPS vs. RHP and .833 vs. LHP
+ He actually hit better away from the launching pad that is the new Yankees Stadium. .776 OPS at home and .938 on the road.
+ Remarkably consistent. Career OPS of .816 in the first half of the season and .820 in the second half
+ Gets on base! Career OBP of .357!
+ Hits for power! (Not counting rookie year when he played 20 games) He averages 26 HR's a year.

Con's
- He's due 15 million over the next two years. Not a huge contract... but I'm not sure the team would put the money up for him.
- What's he going to cost in a trade? Could be too rich of an asking price for the Nats.
- He's a mini Dunn. Career line .245/.357/.460/.818 (I like these types of players... I know some on WNFF do not)

Thoughts?

[The Chief]

No.

[Nat of the Living Dead]

Wasn't Swisher the poster boy for "Moneyball?"

[Lintyfresh85]

Pretty much.

In the 2002 draft, which the book follows, the A's selected - Joe Blanton, Nick Swisher, Mark Teahen and Jeremy Brown.

Brown was supposedly the big can't miss prospect out of all of them.

No.

Care to explain? He's a much better option than Dukes or Maxwell.

[The Chief]

Care to explain? He's a much better option than Dukes or Maxwell.

You think he's a better option defensively?  No sarcasm, I'm really not that familiar with him.

I like Dunn, but we don't need more players like him, we need players that fill other roles.  Especially defensive ones.

[Lintyfresh85]

Absolutely I do.

Maxwell can't hit his way out of a paper bag.

Dukes who is also not as good of a hitter as Swisher ended up with more errors (8 to 6) in 129 LESS chances than Swisher did. That's not math nerd stuff, that's just fact.

[Minty Fresh]

No thanks.

Focus on defense up the middle.  We have corner outfielders who can't hit but can draw walks.

[The Chief]

I suppose.  I still don't think taking on that kind of salary for a guy who's only going to be a marginal improvement defensively is a good idea, esp for a team that already has an all-or-nothing-or-walk hitter.  We don't need OFers, we need pitchers middle IFers.

[tomterp]

Wasn't Swisher the poster boy for "Moneyball?"

One of several.  Yes, they drafted him during the writing of the book (as I recall) but Jeremy Brown and others earned at least as prominent a role.  Swisher, however, was not considered to be a secret Moneyball type player.  Swisher was notable as one of the few examples of a player who traditional scouts and Beane could agree upon.

[Minty Fresh]

I guess we could always pick him up since he's "Swish-a-licious." 

[Nat of the Living Dead]

I guess we could always pick him up since he's "Swish-a-licious." 

[hammondsnats]

He's a douche, but I won't question that he's a pretty good player and plays with a lot of enthusiasm.

[PatsNats28]

He's a douche, but I won't question that he's a pretty good player and plays with a lot of enthusiasm.

I thought he was a great character guy and everything?

[Nat of the Living Dead]

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/128871-yankees-deny-shopping-swisher?eref=sihp

The Yankees denied a published report they have let teams know right fielder Nick Swisher is available. According to a club official, the switch-hitting Swisher, who played a big part in the Yankees winning the AL East and struggled in the postseason, isn't being shopped.

New York Post

[saltydad]

I feel that the prior statements by the Nats FO (citations?) that they are not going the FA route leaves trades like these the only way left. If they don't trade for some decent folks at 2nd, the starting rotation and especially the pen, we are up crap's creek and the Lerners have the paddle.

[amanuel]

Id rather just let the Nationals give Dukes get another full season and see if he can stay healthy rather than give up a prospect for another hitter who doesnt play defense like Maxwell or Dukes. Its our defense that needs work not our offense.