Yankees Trade Speculation: Nick Swisher to the Braves Makes Sense for Both Teams

Everybody likes Nick Swisher.

His teammates love him.

Fans want to have a beer with him.

Always good for a quote, the media likes him.

I like Nick Swisher.

But Nick Swisher would serve the Yankees better as a member of the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves are open to trading 26-year-old right-handed starter Jair Jurrjens. They are looking for a corner bat with power as part of a return that parallels what the Kansas City Royals received in return for Zack Greinke last year.

While I have doubts that the Braves will receive offers of that caliber, Brian Cashman, GM of the Yankees, and Frank Wren, GM of the Braves, should be talking.

After the jump: the reasons why a swap—Nick Swisher/Eduardo Nunez for Jair Jurrjens—makes sense for both teams.

Why It Makes Sense for the Yankees

We have already established that everyone likes Nick Swisher, but the fact remains that his postseason production has been atrocious.

Since joining the Yankees, Swisher has appeared in six postseason series, and only one—the 2010 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins where he hit .333—could be labeled successful for the outfielder.

Jurrjens, in contrast, has battled injuries throughout his career and has never pitched in the postseason. But when healthy, the 25-year-old has been near the top of the second tier of young pitchers, behind a group that includes Felix Hernandez, Gio Gonzalez, Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum.

In eight interleague starts, Jurrjens has posted a 3-1 record with a 1.34 ERA, 1,14 WHIP and 6.2 SO/9 ratio over 53.2 innings. He has shown that he can be successful against American League lineups.

With the Yankees, Jurrjens would immediately become the No. 2 starter behind CC Sabathia.

Why It Makes Sense for the Braves

While the Atlanta Braves currently have phenom Jason Heyward locked into RF, they still have room for Nick Swisher.

Swisher has played 117 games in LF over the span of his career. His .983 fielding percentage there is close to the .987 he has in RF.

But the Braves are not necessarily looking for a defensive guru for the OF—they covet a power bat who can play a corner OF position, and power is something that Swisher has.

He may not be the first person that comes to mind when naming power-hitting outfielders, but Swisher has averaged 28 home runs and 86 RBI per season. He also has hit over 20 homers each year for seven years running.

His reputation as a positive clubhouse influence certainly would not hurt the Braves, and his versatility—Swisher can play all three OF positions as well as 1B—makes him valuable to second-year manager Fredi Gonzalez.

With young arms such as Mike Minor and Julio Teheran ready to take their places in the Braves rotation, Jurrjens has become expendable—even after the Braves traded Derek Lowe to the Cleveland Indians.

Martin Prado, who has seen time at 2B, 3B and LF for the Braves, is also rumored to be on the market.

Eduardo Nunez, for all of his detractors, is another versatile player who can play 2B, 3B and SS. Nunez swings a solid bat and could serve as the backup 3B for the aging Chipper Jones, should the team decide to deal away Prado.

So Who Plays RF for the Yankees?

Carlos Beltran, that's who.

While the Yankees farm system is chock full of talent ready to make an impact at the major league level, an impact outfielder is not on the horizon.

Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams, the two best outfielders in the Yankees farm system, are at least two years away from the majors, if not more.

Enter the veteran Beltran, a player who has shown that he can handle New York and what comes along with playing there.

While he has certainly lost a step, and is no longer the 30/30 threat he once was, Beltran remains a threat every time he steps into the batter's box. He is also an above-average defensive player.

Beltran would be an upgrade over the affable Swisher.