Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Nick Swisher is headed back home.
The Cleveland Indians and the Ohio native have agreed to a contract,
reportedly worth $56 million over four years.
According to the New York Daily News, the deal for the former Yankee includes
a vesting option for 2017 at $14 million that could make the entire package
worth $70 million.
Swisher, who was born in Columbus and attended Ohio State, visited the Indians
earlier this week.
"Wow! What a crazy few weeks," Swisher said on Sunday via Twitter. "Hey
Cleveland! Are you ready? Because I'm coming home!"
The 32-year-old veteran spent the past four seasons with the Yankees and
helped New York to its last World Series title in 2009. He batted .272 with 24
homers and 93 runs batted in last season.
"Thank you NY for the kindness & support you've shown me the past 4 years,"
Swisher also tweeted. "It's been an amazing experience & I've loved every
minute of it!"
Except, maybe, for the final few games.
A fan favorite for much of his four years in the Bronx, Swisher was unhappy
after Yankee fans again criticized his lack of postseason success. He was just
5-for-30 in eight playoff games in 2012, and batted just .162 in 36 postseason
games for the Yankees.
Swisher is a career .256 hitter with 209 homers, 673 RBI and a .361 on-base
percentage in 1,209 games over nine big league seasons. He broke in with
Oakland in 2004 and spent four seasons with the Athletics before playing one
year with the White Sox.
Boston, Texas and Seattle were also reportedly bidding for Swisher, who has
belted at least 20 homers in each of his eight full big league seasons.
The Sports Network