Nick Swisher can prove valuable for Cleveland Indians-MLB Update
For a team like the Cleveland Indians that lack experience, outfielder Nick Swisher is a healthy addition.
Swisher has been playing for the New York Yankees, which means he has some of the most valuable memories to share with the young players of the Indians, and inspire them for bigger goals through them.
The Indians are one of those teams that have been rarely into the playoffs.
Largely, their roster consists of young players. The need to have a mentor, who can help them refine skills, is pressing. Swisher certainly has the credentials to meet it.
Swisher was a free agent this year. Along with the likes of B.J. Upton and Michael Bourn, he invited a great media spotlight, attracting a number of organisations for his acquisition.
His impressive past record put him among the most expensive free agents this year.
The Yankees’ General Manager, Brian Cashman, believes losing Swisher was not an ideal scenario for them. He has hinted that they tried to retain him but eventually Cleveland ran away with Swisher by offering him a better deal.
"He was great for us. We'll miss him, but I'm happy for him. I think Cleveland got a bargain," Brian Cashman said.
Swisher will be remembered by the Yankees for a long time now, given the kind of success he had while playing for them.
Even in the 2012 season, he struck 24 home runs and produced 93 RBIs, while hitting .272.
Swisher will be looking to replicate his last season numbers in 2013. Certainly, he will be aware of the mounted expectations, after signing an extravagant four-year worth $56 million deal with the club.
Talking about his compassion with the patients of cancer, Swisher has said the following.
"I lost my grandmother in 2005 and my mom is currently going through leukemia," Swisher said. "So when someone says cancer, I come running. Everyone knows someone — a friend, relative, co-worker — who's dealt with cancer."
It will be interesting to see how Swisher adjusts to the culture of the Indians and lives up to the expectations.
It will be fascinating for the Indians’ fans to see him play during Spring Training.
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