Indians making push to sign Nick Swisher

The market for Nick Swisher continues to shrink. Initially, the Rangers, Mariners, Orioles, Nationals, Giants, Indians, Phillies and Braves all had shown some level of interest in the outfielder/first baseman. But as the offseason has gone on, those teams have addressed their needs differently. Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that the Indians are making a push to sign Swisher.

The Indians desire to sign Swisher increased after the team traded Shin-Soo Choo to the Reds. Swisher could split time between first base and the outfield, but probably more time in the outfield as the Indians already signed Mark Reynolds to play first base.

Swisher hit .272/.364/.473 with 24 home runs and 93 RBIs for the Yankees last season. The Yankees made a qualifying to Swisher so whichever team signs him will lose their first round draft pick. In the Indians case, I believe the pick is protected so they would lose their second round pick.

Image taken by Keith Allison and used under the Creative Common License Agreement.