MLBTR guru Tim Dierkes covered the Yankees today in his 2012 Contract Issues series, looking at the team’s upcoming free agents and arbitration-eligible players. Give it a read because it’s a great preview of what the team will have to deal with after the season, but there’s one line I want to discuss: “[Nick Swisher]’s option seemed like an easy choice to exercise, but his bat has yet to come alive in 160 plate appearances this year. He’s got time to bounce back, but the option is not a lock.”
Swish is in the final guaranteed year of a contract he signed during his time in Oakland, and the option is worth $10.25MM with a $1MM buyout. The net value is $9.25M since they’re giving him a million bucks no matter what. Here’s the list of players due to become free agents after the season, do you see any worthwhile replacements for Swish among that group of outfielders? I know he’s had a poor season (.293 wOBA), but I don’t see anyone on that list that I’d rather have over Nick on a one-year, $9.25MM deal. He’s not old (turns 31 in the offseason), so even if he slumps all year I’ll take my chances with him rebounded next season instead of rolling the dice on David DeJesus or Ryan Ludwick or someone like that.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.