MLB Free Agents 2013: Philadelphia Phillies Should Sign Nick Swisher

It was one of the more disappointing seasons in recent memory for the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans.

While they tried to make a long-shot run at the National League's second wild-card spot late in the season, their sluggish start to the season was just too much to overcome.

The Phillies did manage to fight their way back to finish with a respectable 81-81 regular season record, but missed the playoffs despite having one of the biggest payrolls in major league baseball.

Phillies fans need not worry, however.

They still have key contributors like Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Jonathan Papelbon all signed through at least next season.

With a core of players that are still capable of winning in place, bringing in Nick Swisher seems like a no-brainer.

Not only because Swisher is one of the better bats on the free-agent market to be signed, but also because the Phillies could use some outfielders right now. After all, they did ship Shane Victorino off to Los Angeles and Hunter Pence to San Francisco after it became apparent that they weren't going to be contenders this year.

Even Juan Pierre, who had a terrific season for Philadelphia, leading the team in stolen bases with 37, hits free agency this offseason.

It's understandable that some Phillies fans may be weary of taking on another big contract for the foreseeable future, but Swisher would help fill one of those outfield spots and has been consistent at the plate over the course of his career.

Sure, he won't hit .300, but Swisher would bring both power and the ability to reach base to the table.

Swisher hasn't failed to reach the 20-home-run plateau in any of his eight full major league seasons and is an absolute walk machine. In fact, he's had an OBP over .350 in all but two of his eight full seasons, despite never hitting .300 in a single season.

The Phillies will still need some sort of table-setter atop their lineup and some bullpen help, but Nick Swisher should be high on their priority list as free agency kicks off.

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