Don't be surprised if the Phillies end up signing Nick Swisher
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Don't be surprised if the Phillies end up signing Nick Swisher
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
It has been an interesting couple of weeks for the Phillies, who at times have projected a quiet confidence in the way the offseason has progressed, and at others have seemed to be scrambling to adjust to a free agent market in which dollars flowed like chocolate water in Wonkaville.
As I wrote yesterday, my sense is that the Phillies' reported offer to Josh Hamilton is little more than a formality, with the Rangers remaining the slugger's likely destination. One further sign that Ruben Amaro Jr. and Co. do not view Hamilton as a strong possibility is a report that David Waldstein of the New York Times issued on Twitter last night, saying the Phillies "were making a big push" for Ichiro Suzuki, who he suggests is likely headed back to the Yankees.
Signing the left-handed hitting Suzuki would not make much sense if the Phillies had Hamilton penciled in as their right fielder. You could argue that it would not make much sense in any situation, given the fact that Suzuki will be 39 years old in 2013 and is coming off two seasons in which he combined to hit .277/.308/.361 in 323 games for the Mariners and Yankees. Ichiro was slightly better against right-handed pitching last year, posting a .283/.316/.408 line. Still, you would think that the Phillies would aim for more production than that out of a platoon guy. And, again, he is going to be 39 years old.
The confusing thing is that the Phillies would arguably be better off with Nate Schierholtz, who signed a deal worth a reported $2.25 million after the Phillies non-tendered him. He is younger and was better against righties last season, hitting .287/.360/.466 with six home runs in 201 plate appearances. In fact, he has posted an OPS of at least .801 against righties in each of the last two seasons. He might not be the defender that Ichiro is, but he capable enough.
The mystery might involve Nick Swisher. I wouldn't be surprised if the Phillies surprise people and land him. While national reports have only casually mentioned the Phillies as having interest in Swisher, Amaro tends to keep his true intentions guarded. Perhaps reports like the latest offering from Jim Bowden, which suggests that the Indians are "in aggressive pursuit" of Swisher, is merely an attempt to drive up the price for a team that has targeted him but continues to balk at the asking price. While these things usually come down to dollars, it would be a mighty leap for Swisher to move from New York City to Cleveland, where it is hard to envision the Indians competing despite their solid start to last season. In that situation, it would make sense for Amaro to keep his interest in Swisher on the extreme down low in order to avoid a bidding war.
Really, Swisher is the perfect player for the Phillies right now. It would be awfully hard for them to get away with platoons in both left field and right field, because it would leave them thin on left-handed options on the bench when facing a right-handed starter. Swisher is a switch-hitter who is adept against both righties and lefties. He can play first base or right field. And he would slot perfectly into the three-hole, breaking up Chase Utley (two-hole) and Ryan Howard (clean-up), both of whom have struggled against lefties.
Adding Swisher would also put the Phillies in far better position to weather a situation like they encountered last year, when Chase Utley and Ryan Howard both ended up on the disabled list for the first three months of the season. Michael Young started 14 games at second base for the Rangers last season, so he could give the Phillies a better offensive option behind Utley than they had last year in Freddy Galvis. And, as mentioned before, Swisher could play first base, leaving Galvis and Kevin Frandsen to handle third. It wouldn't be an optimal defensive alignment by any stretch of the imagination, but it would give them options, which is what they sorely lacked last season. Most importantly, though, it would give them a right fielder who can both hit a home run and draw a walk, and who can balance out a lineup without the logistical problems that a platoon can create.
Swisher has been my pick for a few days now...
Bats from both sides, can play OF and occasional 1B, has and can perform on the biggest of stages. Yeah it's nice to dream about Hamilton, but Rube needs $$$ also to spend on pitching. Signing Swish leaves Rube $$$ to use elsewhere. Got tix for Phils at Braves at Disney in March ... looking forward to seeing Swish.— ExiledinFla- Um yeah ... I can't wait to see that .169 post-season average on the biggest of stages -- the post-season. — s
- Nothing is added by having Young play second if Utley is out. Still have to replace Young at third.— P Even
- I don't understand why everyone says yble to play second helps so much either. If Chase is out, and young moves to second then what? Galvis or Frandson at 3rd. Galvis biggest asset is his range in the field. Wouldn't leaving Young at 3rd and playing Galvis at 2nd make more sense? Either way both bats are in the lineup but to me this would be a much better def — kdoug515
- Between Utley, Young, Galvis and Frandsen and Rollins you'd better have enough depth to cover any injuries at 2B, SS and 3B. If it goes past that say hello to Pete Orr or Michael Martinez again and go ahead and make vacation plans for October.
At first base, it's similar: Howard, Ruf, Mayberry, Nix and Frandsen has even played a little 1B I believe.
One issue here: You really should carry both Galvis and Frandsen on the 25 man roster in my opinion. Right now we have 5 outfielders (Brown, Ruf, Mayberry, Revere, Nix). So the bench is full. If we sign a free agent outfielder someone has to go. While Ruf and Galvis have options left and can be sent to the minors that seems counter-productive to me. Maybe they go with 11 pitchers instead for a while.— s - First base should not be a factor here. If it is, we'll know for sure that Amaro is brain dead. Ruf has played first base almost his entire life. Mayberry and Nix played first this year. If you carry Frandsen and Galvis as bench players and so many guys are hurt you can't cover first base you're pretty much done for the year anyway.
We all know of Murphy's man love for Nick Swisher by now. I just don't get it. Nice OBP but that's about all I like.— s 
There is a reason the Yankees are not choosing to sign Swisher.— John621- We may have to move you to a CIA or NSA assignment. I would expect a call from Amaro shortly telling you to clam up.— JayW
- One other point on Swisher: Giving up the draft pick for Hamilton is one thing but for Swisher? I'd probably be more inclined to go with Cody Ross since he didn't get a qualifying offer. Not that I'm crazy about him either but if you're not going for the obvious difference maker in Hamilton and you're not trying to work a trade for some younger guy on the way up (my preference) then either do nothing or don't give up the draft pick.— s
- Reports are that Hamilton is going to the Angels.— s
Swisher may not be the perfect answer to the Phils' outfield problem, but he's a solid major league hitter and decent in the field. The switch-hitting part is big. As for why the Yanks aren't signing Swisher (per John621), it's because even the Yanks aren't willing to pay $15-$20 million a year for every player on the field.- The Angels signing Hamilton now gives them four outfielders. Trading for right handed Mark Trumbo to play RF would be a perfect fit for the Phils.— CoolZanna
- Swisher is just like adding another left handed bat..He did all his damage from the left side in that babe ruth league field the yankess have..We missed out on the one guy who could be a difference maker here and now hes headed to the angels...And nate scheirholtz come on Murphy hes nothing more than a 4th or 5th outfielder..Its hard to believe that the daily news pays you to write this nonsense...You pick your paycheck up with a gun and a mask every week or what ???— KEITHYD
- Swisher is overrated. Look what he has done in the playoffs.— 1danny
- I wouldn't even consider Swisher, save the money for now and the next 5 years. If Utley and Howard are shelved , Swisher isn't taking us anywhere, he's one of the Yankees all-time worst postseason players in many postseason series so if Utley and Howard are out we're doomed anyway. Then you're stuck with Swisher on an Utley type contract and Swisher couldn't get to balls in RF against the Tigers.
Then you're tossing away a pick in the area we got Utley and Hamels.
Not that they can get him but going after Anibal would be better than severely overpaying Swisher with Doc's contract up. Many of Next year's free agent pitchers are older also. You have to look at beyond this year as well as this year.— rc1000
