MLB Free Agency: Yankees Likely Now to Keep Nick Swisher, Pass on Carlos Beltran

It looks as if the Yankees may have made up their minds about who plays right field in 2012.

According to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News, the Yankees are leaning towards picking up the $10.25 million option on Nick Swisher for 2012.

If the Yankees pick up the option, that also means that it takes the Yankees out of the bidding for Giants outfielder Carlos Beltran.

Swisher hit .260 with 23 home runs and 85 RBI in 2011, but only hit .211 with five strikeouts in the 2011 ALDS against the Tigers.

Fans were starting to grow tired of the 31-year old in October after he simply could not come up with a big hit for the Yankees in the playoffs, and especially against the Tigers three weeks ago.

Despite the grumblings, it looks like the Yankees front office, who met this week in Tampa to discuss the near winter off-season plan, will retain the services of Swisher for at least one more year.

Now, they could pick up the option and trade him, which wouldn't be too far off to think. Remember, there's a team like the Philadelphia Phillies who could use Swisher as a temporary first basemen while Ryan Howard recovers from his Achilles surgery.

Beltran hit .300 with 22 home runs and 84 RBI with the Giants and New York Mets last season, and is looking for at least one more decent payday after his contract from 2005 will now expire.

Beltran was the top free agent heading into the 2005 season and many felt the Yankees were the front runners to get him then, but the Yankees chose to trade for Randy Johnson and sign Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. Thus, taking them out of the Beltran sweepstakes and allowing the Mets to scoop him up.

Almost seven years later, everyone thought that the Yankees would again pursue Beltran, who will be 35 when the 2012 season gets going, but it looks like again, the Yankees will pass on his services.

Personally, I thought with the struggles of Swisher in October, they could have used a bat like Beltran. However, his durability and age are a huge factor.

Swisher is four years younger and isn't as injury prone like Beltran, plus, he's a positive influence in the Yankees locker room who is still extremely popular with the fans.

Although I really do like Swisher, he really needs to step his game up in October. He can't keep having playoff series where he gets more strikeouts than hits.

But, this is all pure speculation and things could change real quickly.

Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.