Nick Swisher Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Indians 1B
After two subpar seasons as a member of the Cleveland Indians, Nick Swisher's days with the Tribe could soon be numbered.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Indians are considering trading the 33-year-old first baseman and outfielder in exchange for a player with a similarly large contract:
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Swish is currently under contract until the end of the 2017 MLB season at $14 million annually, per Spotrac.com. After hitting .208 with just eight home runs and 42 RBI in 2014, there is no question that there are concerns regarding his ability to live up to that deal.
He was limited to just 97 games with various injuries, including a knee ailment that ended his season in August. Because of that, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti is considering moving Swisher back to the outfield on a full-time basis should he remain with the team, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com:
"It's a very real possibility that there could be less strain on Swish's knees in the outfield than at first base. There are very different movements in the outfield and at first base. At first base there is a lot of bending and standing and stopping and starting. In the outfield there is more running, but fewer quick and abrupt movements.
"
If the organization moves forward with potential plans to trade him, though, Swisher's utilization will be another team's decision.
Swisher put up at least 23 home runs and 82 RBI in four consecutive seasons with the New York Yankees from 2009 through 2012, so he can be an impact player when healthy and on top of his game.
With such a massive contract attached to him, though, the Indians may not be willing to show patience.
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