Cleveland Sports Forum

I think they are too. Just not sure they have a chance no matter what they offer and certainly think 4 years at 60 million is more then what he is worth.

I have a hard time with signing anyone in their mid thirties to 4 year contracts worth over 10 million dollars. Risky business.

Agents do a good job of selling an inferior product to desperate suckers.The Skankees didn't want him back. Can't see a young guy like Swisher wanting to spend the next 4 years in Cleveland.

Swisher turned 32 a month ago.

Swisher makes visit to Cleveland facilities

Nick Swisher (Photo: AP)
By Steve Orbanek
December 18, 2012
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As you read this, outfielder Nick Swisher could be on a plane out of Cleveland after spending the day enjoying a nice little tour throughout the Progressive Field facilities.

MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports that Swisher met with Cleveland Indians brass this afternoon and was scheduled to leave town later in the afternoon. It was the second day that Swisher was in Cleveland as he reportedly had dinner last night with Indians President Mark Shapiro and other team personnel.

From all accounts, it appears as if the Indians have really intensified their pursuit of Swisher. For example, the team reportedly played a video message for Swisher on the scoreboard with names such as Ohio State coaches Thad Matta, Urban Meyer and Greg Beals appearing in an effort to encourage Swisher to “come home.”

As of now, reports are that there is a standing offer on the table for Swisher from the Indians, but it also still appears as if there are multiple suitors still pursuing the 32-year-old outfielder. No official numbers have been released yet in regard to the actual contract that was offered, but one has to suspect that it was at least for four years and $60 million.

The switch-hitting Swisher hit hit .272 with 24 homers, 93 RBI and .837 OPS in 148 games with the New York Yankees last season. His acquisition would certainly fill the gaping hole that was created in right field last week following the blockbuster trade involving Shin-Soo Choo and Trevor Bauer.

While Swisher is not signed to a deal and there is no indication that he is leaning toward Cleveland, there is one potential positive factor to consider when moving forward. The Indianswere able to give their pitch before any other teams. Swisher will likely visit a few Major League cities before making any decision, but the Indians were first, which may mean that they’re the first team he thinks of before ultimately decides what to do.

At the same time though, other teams now have an opportunity to outdo the Indians, so it could be somewhat of a double-edged sword.

Also, there is no telling how Swisher received the Indians’ message. The team made it clear that they desperately want his services, but that’s the problem: was the team’s message perhaps too desperate? Most players enjoy having their egos rubbed however, and Swisher is likely no different.

The Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles have all been linked to the career .256/.361/.467 hitter, so the competition is quite steep. These next few days will be eventful. Hopefully the end result is Swisher wearing a Cleveland Indians uniform.

From the very beginning, it has appeared as if the Indians have been Swisher’s most aggressive suitor, and today’s reports seem to further prove that point.

Jim Tressel recruits Nick Swisher
Updated: December 18, 2012, 5:00 PM ET
Associated Press

CLEVELAND -- Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was among a group who had lunch with free agent outfielder Nick Swisher on his visit with the Cleveland Indians.

The Indians tugged on Swisher's deep Ohio State ties -- he played baseball for the Buckeyes -- in hopes of signing the 32-year-old. Swisher and his wife, actress Joanna Garcia, visited Progressive Field on Tuesday.

The couple, expecting its first child in May, toured the team's family room, a suite and the clubhouse before the Indians played a video on the scoreboard that included messages from current Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and basketball coach Thad Matta, who encouraged Swisher to sign with Cleveland.

Swisher is mulling an offer from the Indians, who have a hole in right field after trading Shin-Soo Choo last week. Swisher is expected to meet with other teams before making a decision.


Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Michael Bourn is terrible and does not fit the Indians at all. He is Michael Brantley lite. LH hitter. No sense at all. Boras client ! Geez !

At least Swisher got a couple of good meals out of the tribe and got to meet Tressel. Why is Tressel involved? Didnt he lie about some tatoos.

Twitter making fun of the Indians:

Brandon McCarthy ‏@BMcCarthy32
what is he a HS recruit? RT @twithersAP Progressive Field lights are on and Nick Swisher's face is on scoreboard as team tries to land FA

Brandon McCarthy ‏@BMcCarthy32
"Sure you spent four years with the most recognizable baseball team on Earth but here's your name & face on OUR scoreboard. Ready to sign?"

Chris Kluwe ‏@ChrisWarcraft
@BMcCarthy32 @twithersAP Don't you know the greatest inducement for a professional athlete to sign as a FA is to see electricity in action?!

Craig Calcaterra ‏@craigcalcaterra
@BMcCarthy32 They're giving him the whole in-season experience too: the ballpark is empty.

Cleveland Indians give free agent Nick Swisher the full Buckeye treatment


Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 7:23 PM Updated: Tuesday, December 18, 2012, 10:09 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer



CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If free agent Nick Swisher doesn't sign with the Indians, it won't be because they didn't try.
Besides the offer of a four-year deal that could be close to $50 million, the Indians tugged on Swisher's Ohio State roots Monday and Tuesday in his recruiting trip to Cleveland. It began Monday night, when Swisher arrived in town with his wife, actress Joanna Garcia, and agent Dan Lozano. The Indians took them to dinner at Michael Symon's Lola Bistro on East 4th Street.
Among the diners were Indians President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Chris Antonetti and their wives, manager Terry Francona and bullpen coach Kevin Cash, who played with Swisher in New York.
Tuesday, Swisher received a tour of Progressive Field, the Indians' locker room and facilities. He also met with owner Paul Dolan.
During the tour, the Indians posted Swisher's picture on the scoreboard dressed in an Indians' uniform. The Indians lineup was listed with Swisher hitting fourth and playing right field. Mark Reynolds, whose signing became official Tuesday when Russ Canzler was designated for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster, was listed at first base. The name next to the DH spot was listed as TBD (to be determined).
The Indians then played a video on the scoreboard in which Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, basketball coach Thad Matta and baseball coach Greg Beals talked about Swisher and encouraged him to join the Tribe. Swisher was born in Columbus and played baseball at Ohio State. He paid for the turf field at OSU's baseball stadium.
At lunch the Indians surprised Swisher by inviting friend and former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. Swisher and his entourage left about 3 p.m. Baltimore, Seattle, Texas, Philadelphia and the Dodgers are among the team interested in Swisher.
"It was great to connect with Nick and his wife, Joanna," said Antonetti. "It was great to visit and spend some time with him. We had a chance to share our thoughts on the organization and where we are, and answer any questions Nick had, as well as reconnect him with some of his Ohio roots."
When Antonetti was asked if all the bells and whistles were enough to get Swisher to sign, he said, "That's a better question for Nick."
Swisher, a switch-hitter, spent his last four years with the Yankees. Last season he hit .272 (146-for-537) with 36 doubles, 24 homers and 93 RBI.

4 years at $50 million = salary slot formerly assigned to Travis Hafner.

Russ Canzler was designated for assignment

That's sort of surprising. I guess we don't need in LF or DH. Of course they could re-sign him to a minorleague contract and bring him to camp.

During the tour, the Indians posted Swisher's picture on the scoreboard dressed in an Indians' uniform. The Indians lineup was listed with Swisher hitting fourth and playing right field. Mark Reynolds, whose signing became official Tuesday when Russ Canzler was designated for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster, was listed at first base. The name next to the DH spot was listed as TBD (to be determined).

I'm nominating Manny Ramirez for that DH spot.

The swing is back.

Low risk, high reward. Give him a minor league contract and invite him to spring training to compete for that DH spot. Nothing to lose really.

If Manny makes it back to the bigs, I bet he is caught doping again.

He needs to learn how to hide the sample better.