3 Reasons Why the Yankees Should Let Nick Swisher Walk

With Nick Swisher declining the Yankees’ qualifying offer of $13.3 million, the organization faces a decision on whether or not to make a substantial offer for the veteran right fielder.

Throughout the regular season, rumors swirled that suggested Swisher would seek “Jayson Werth money” (7 years, $126 million) in the offseason. Well, here we are in the middle of November, and with other potential suitors looming, it’s time for Cashman to analyze the pros and cons of the aging switch hitter.

Here are three reasons why the brass should pass.

The Shtick Is Dead

When Nick Swisher arrived in New York in 2009, he brought with him much more than a high on-base percentage and a propensity for the long ball. His “frat bro” attitude infiltrated and spread throughout the clubhouse like a virus, infecting nearly every guy on that World Series team. With A.J. Burnett’s assistance, Swisher added a little life to a team in desperate need of a personality makeover.

Three years later, however, the Yankees resemble their former stale selves, and the Nick Swisher persona is viewed as annoying more often than anything else.

Don’t believe me?

Just ask any Bleacher Creature present during the ALCS. The right fielder’s once personal entourage turned on him rather quickly when his playoff futility overshadowed the now overplayed “sup bro!” routine. 

Playoff Production or Lack Thereof

The Yankees don’t need Nick Swisher to make the playoffs.

He’s a nice player that gets on base and sets up for the big bats behind him, but this current regime of guys will make the postseason more often than not with or without him.

With that being said, for Swisher to justify the monster deal he is seeking, it would behoove him to bring something to the negotiation table, something more impressive than a career playoff batting line of .169/4/8/.283.

Solid regular seasons are appreciated, but big contracts should be saved for those who can perform on the grandest stage.

Other Options Galore

As if his poor showing in October didn’t hurt his case enough, the vastness of this year’s outfielder free agent crop could hinder Swisher’s goal of a mega-deal. 

With intriguing names like Grady Sizemore—someone the Yankees could take a risk on and get for cheap—floating around, Cashman has options.

There's also more proven talent like Michael Bourn or Delmon Young (the latter being someone we already know has no problem hitting at Yankee Stadium).

The Yankees can even look internally by re-signing Ichiro and then complementing one of their lefties with a guy like Shane Victorino, who despite a disappointing 2012 campaign still hit .323 against southpaws and has posted a career .301 average in those at-bats.