NEW YORK, N.Y. – GM Chris Antonetti hinted Friday afternoon at Yankee Stadium that Nick Swisher could be an everyday outfielder next season. How's that for an eye opener?
When asked if Swisher, hounded by injuries and poor defensive play at first base, could be headed toward a full-time DH role, Antonetti said, "I don't think we look at it like that at all. We asked Swish to go out and play left field the other night (Wednesday and Thursday against the Reds) just to get his bat in the lineup.
"Just to rewind a little bit ... the plan coming into this season was for Nick to play a lot of first base. So he prepared in the off-season and spring training to do that and not play a lot of outfield.
"Going into next year the plan could be different. Giving him that head's up and allowing him the off-season to go out and prepare to be an outfielder, come into camp, get the reps in the outfield that will prepare him better for the season."
Swisher opened the season at first, but because of his poor play and bad knees that put him on the disabled list, he lost the job to Carlos Santana. He's basically been the everyday DH since he came off the DL on June 11.
He started in right field Friday night against the Yankees with David Murphy, the regular right fielder, moving to left for the first time this season.
Asked if Swisher told the Indians that he didn't want to DH, Antonetti said, "Nick wants to play. He loves playing and he'll do anything he can to help the team. I know that's his mind set and that's his approach."
After hyper-extending his left knee against the White Sox in late May, Swisher received cortisone ejections in each knee. Asked if Swisher might need surgery at the end of the season, Antonetti said, "I've got no indication that that's the case.
"This season hasn't unfolded for him individually maybe the way we had hoped. But there are a lot of players who have those years in their careers. The important thing will be to finish the season strong and then get to the off-season and do everything he can to prepare for next season and put this season behind him."
Swisher, 33, is in the second year of a four-year, $56 million deal. The contract includes a vesting option that could extend it to a fifth season.
He is hitting .207 (73-for-352) with eight homers and 42 RBI in 95 games. He has a .610 OPS with 107 strikeouts and 36 walks.
