Indians Interested in Signing Nick Swisher

Less than 24 hours after missing out on Shane Victorino, the Cleveland Indians have set their sights on another free agent outfielder: Nick Swisher.

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Swisher, who turned 32 last week, hit .272/.364/.473 with 24 home runs, 93 RBI, and 3.9 fWAR in 148 games with the Yankees last year. The switch-hitting former first round pick owns a .256/.361/.468 triple-slash with 207 home runs, 665 RBI, and 26.3 fWAR since he first became a regular player in 2005.

Swisher is primarily a right fielder, but he has experience at all three outfield positions and played 41 games at first base in 2012. He is generally regarded as a good defender except in center field. He is known for his plate discipline and power and would immediately shore up the Tribe’s weakness at first base, left field, or (if Shin-Soo Choo is traded) right field.

General consensus seems to be that Swisher can get a four-year deal, with speculated annual salaries ranging from $11 million to $16 million. But the market for his services may be drying up after the Red Sox signed Victorino, the Orioles signed Nate McLouth, and the Giants re-signed Marco Scutaro, so perhaps the price will come down.