Report: Red Sox Have Had 'Ongoing Negotiations' With Nick Swisher
BOSTON (CBS) - While the Boston Red Sox met with free agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli over the weekend, there is another free agent they have reportedly been talking with for a while.
According to the Globe's Nick Cafardo, the Red Sox have had "ongoing negotiations" with free agent Nick Swisher. The switch-hitting outfielder/first baseman hit .272 with a.364 OBP, smacking 24 home runs and driving in 93 runs for the Yankees last season.
Swisher averaged 26 home runs and 87 RBIs in his four years with the Yankees, and is a career .256 hitter with a .361 OBP. He's played 715 games in right field over his eight-year MLB career, also logging 307 games at first base (including 41 in 2012).
Like most of the Yankees, Swisher struggled at the plate during the 2012 playoffs, batting just .167 with two RBIs in 30 plate appearances.
Swisher would give the Boston lineup a solid switch-hitting bat and would be a viable replacement for Cody Ross, should he leave via free agency.
The 33-year-old Swisher made $10.25 million in 2012. The Rangers, Mariners, Yankees, Braves and Giants are among the teams showing interest in Swisher this off-season. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman believes with the market so big for Swisher, he could get a four-year deal.
