Swisher Uncomfortable Predicting Future

In order to bring our readers the best possible Yankee coverage I have been trying all offseason to setup interviews with team’s new acquisitions. CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett seem to busy to sit down with this blog, but before Christmas I was optimistic I’d be able to talk with Nick Swisher eventually.

That was before the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira and trade rumors started flaring up. Now I have been told that Swisher won’t be fulfilling interview requests because of the uncertainty of his future.

“It would be his preference to wait until he gets a Yankee uniform on before doing any additional interviews,” said Swisher’s agent Joe Bick. “We discussed this last night, and he simply isn’t comfortable predicting what his role will be or “projecting” himself into the Yankees situation before he actually gets there.”

Obviously I’m sad that I’m missing out on an interview with Swisher, but I can’t say I blame him. When it comes to the Yankees you never know what they’re going to do. It seems that the Yankees would prefer to keep Swisher over Xavier Nady, but if the right package comes along I can’t see them saying no.

Ken Davidoff of Newsday outlined the reasons why the Yankees want to keep Swisher over Nady. There are more than a couple and they make sense.

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1) Swisher’s versatility. He can play both corner outfield positions and first base as well as center field (his weakest position). Nady plays only the corner outfield positions.

2) As a switch hitter, Swisher gives Joe Girardi more flexibility.

3)Swisher is signed through 2011 for $21 million. Nady can become a free agent after this season, and with Scott Boras as his agent, he indeed will file for free agency.

4) Although the Yankees like Nady perfectly well, they think Swisher’s upbeat, fiery personality could be an added asset.”

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The fact that Swisher is under contract past next season while Nady, Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui are all free agents is probably the biggest reason.