Why Nick Swisher Is Ecstatic over Andre Ethier's Extension

Have you ever seen Andre Ethier and Nick Swisher in the same room together?

I only ask because, from 2009 through 2011, you couldn't tell the difference between the two at the plate.

You're not sure? Take a look:

Swisher: 503 G, .267/.368/.486, 81 HR, 256 RBI

Ethier: 434 G, .284/.364/.477, 65 HR, 250 RBI

But in 2012, it's been a different story.

Even without Matt Kemp in the lineup for a large chunk of the season, Ethier is on pace to have one of his best seasons as a pro. Through last night's game, he has a slash line of .291/.350/.509 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI.

Swisher, though he won last night's game against the Atlanta Braves with his two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning, has been struggling to get on base, currently holding a slash line of .250/.314/.480 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI.

Regardless of how the two finish the season, you can be sure that "Team Swisher" is going to point to Ethier's five-year, $85 million extension with the Dodgers as a starting point in negotiations with the Yankees. Ethier's deal has a $17.5 million team option for 2018 (or a $2.5 million buyout), which would push the total value over $100 million.

Are the Yankees willing to invest that much money in a player whose OBP has dropped more than 50 points, especially when that is his greatest asset? If not, is there another team in the league who would?

Is Nick Swisher a $100-million player?

No, he's not, especially when you consider that when the games matter the most—the postseason—Swisher disappears.

You could argue that Ethier isn't worth what the Dodgers are paying him, either. But someone, whether it's the Yankees or another team, is going to make Nick Swisher a very, very wealthy man after this season.

And that is only going to keep Swisher smiling for years to come.