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Nick Swisher Changes Agents

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Nick Swisher has hired Dan Lozano as his new agent, reports FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link).  There were reports earlier today that linked Swisher to Scott Boras, but instead it's Lozano who has added the Yankee outfielder to his list of clients, which includes such names as Albert Pujols, Michael Young and Jimmy Rollins.  Swisher was formerly represented by Joe Bick.

Swisher has hit exactly 29 homers in each of two seasons as a Yankee, and he hit .288/.359/.511 in 635 plate appearances last year as the Yankees' everyday right fielder. The switch-hitter made his first All-Star team in 2010.  Swisher, 30, will earn $9MM this year and the Yankees have the option of exercising a $10.25MM in 2012 or spending $1MM on a buyout.

MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith also contributed to this post

Yankees Rumors: Upton, Lee, Soriano, Jeter

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post dishes out the latest Yankees buzz in a series of articles…

  • Sherman notes that Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers has knowledge of the Yankees farm system after working for the team last year, which makes a Justin Upton match intriguing.  However, Sherman feels that the Yankees would get involved most likely if Cliff Lee signs elsewhere and they look to trade an outfielder for a starter.  Teams have inquired on Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, and Brett Gardner, notes Sherman.
  • Executives Sherman spoke to continue to express the opinion that the Yankees will land Lee.
  • The Yanks are also working hard to find a setup man, calling on about a dozen free agents including Pedro Feliciano.  They've checked in on Rafael Soriano "as a fallback position in the incredibly small likelihood that Mariano Rivera does not re-sign."  Sherman says to forget the idea of Soriano signing as Rivera's setup man and closer-in-waiting.  Neither side is interested in that scenario.
  • Sherman analyzes the Derek Jeter situation, which he feels could become "one of the most interesting games of contract chicken in history."  The main sticking point seems to be the number of years.

Melvin: “We’re Not Shopping Prince”

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Prince Fielder has just one more year to go before becoming eligible for free agency, and as a result many around the game expect the Brewers to shop their hulking first baseman. GM Doug Melvin told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that isn't the case however, saying explicitly "We're not shopping Prince." Here's the full quote…

"We're not shopping Prince,'' said the Brewers GM. "I'd like to keep him. He's a homegrown player who wants to play every inning of every game. But we'd like to get something done by the end of the off-season. I don't want to negotiate during the year.''

Melvin indicated that the end of Spring Training is the team's deadline for working out an extension with their two-time All Star. Fielder, 26 and a Scott Boras client, is a .279/.385/.535 career hitter, averaging 38 home runs in his five full seasons as a big leaguer.

Nightengale also lists a number of players that are already "under discussion," including Zack Greinke, Dan Uggla, Adrian Gonzalez, Bobby Jenks, Jonathan Papelbon, Nick Swisher, Jason Bartlett, Mark Reynolds, and both Justin and B.J. Upton. 

Yanks Could Be Shopping For Outfielder Soon

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Some in the industry are already wondering if the Yankees could be in the market for outfield help soon, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. 

Both Randy Winn and Marcus Thames have struggled this spring, though Thames officially made the club's Opening Day roster today.  The club may find themselves uneasy with the two veterans as starting left fielder Brett Gardner is not yet an established major league hitter.  They would be especially thin in the outfield if Curtis Granderson or Nick Swisher are bitten by the injury bug.

Rosenthal writes that the Yankees figure to be more patient with Winn as he is more than four years removed from playing in the AL.  

The Yankees investment in Winn and Thames amounts to just $2MM combined.  Rosenthal writes that if one or both struggle, and Gardner also stumbles out of the gate, then the team could be seeking an outfielder quickly.

Yankees, Braves Agree To Vazquez Deal

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9:50am: Buster Olney of ESPN.com hears that the Yankees will send $500K to the Braves as part of the deal. Olney does not mention Vizcaino in the report, but O'Brien tweets that he is in the deal.

9:43am: Sherman tweets that the deal is done. 

9:08am: Not surprisingly, the Yankees will pay Vazquez's entire salary, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter).

8:56am: Sherman tweets that the Braves are acquiring righty Arodys Vizcaino, Melky and Dunn for Logan and Vazquez.

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Odds & Ends: Fehr, Indians, Swisher

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Sunday night links…

  • Former MLBPA head Donald Fehr talked to Daniel Barbarisi of The Providence Journal.  Amongst other things, Fehr says that with the current agreement expiring in 2011, he hopes the owners remember the brutal work stoppage of 1994.
  • Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (via Twitter) says that we can expect to find out what Rays player will be shipped to the Indians as part of the Kelly Shoppach deal.  The Cleveland press release announcing the trade a few weeks ago had said that the "player to be named later" would be revealed today, December 20th.
  • While some Yankees fans have talked about the possibility of trading Nick Swisher, Chad Jennings of The Journal News defends the eccentric outfielder, citing his 29 HRs and .371 OBP.  Dealing Swisher probably made sense when the club still might have re-signed Johnny Damon.  At this point, unless the Yanks plan on signing Matt Holliday, can anyone think of a good reason why they should move Swisher?

Yankees Outfield Situation

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The Yankees' acquisition of Curtis Granderson yesterday obviously affects their other outfielders and free agents Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui.  ESPN's Buster Olney says that if the Yanks re-sign Damon, they're more likely to trade Nick Swisher.  He finds it "increasingly unlikely" that they re-sign Matsui, whether or not Damon returns.  Olney doesn't mention it, but we also have to consider the possibility Melky Cabrera is dealt.  Damon, for his part, still thinks there's a window for him to return (talking to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times).

Swisher, 29, hit .249/.371/.498 in 607 plate appearances this year, drawing 97 walks and hitting 29 home runs while playing right field and a little first base.  He's guaranteed $16.75MM over the next two seasons.  Do you prefer Swisher or Damon, if you had to choose one?

Nightengale On Jackson, Swisher, Rays, Halladay

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USA Today's Bob Nightengale suggests we keep an eye on a possible three-way trade between the Tigers, Mariners and one other club. The Tigers would give up Edwin Jackson and the Mariners would give up Brandon Morrow. Here are some more rumors to read as you wonder who that third team might be:

  • Nightengale says the Rays are the "clear-cut favorite" to acquire Milton Bradley from the Cubs.
  • The Yankees are apparently letting teams know that Nick Swisher is available. Swisher was involved in his share of trade rumors after the Yankees acquired him last season.
  • The Dodgers are focusing on Roy Halladay, who would potentially cost Chad Billingsley and others.

Odds & Ends: Phillies, Dodgers, Swisher

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Thanks to the rain in New York, we're without baseball once again tonight.  No need to panic though because we got you covered with links from around the web:

  • The Phillies will have the opportunity to repeat as world champions but they're already looking beyond this year, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.  Stark compares this Phillies team to the late-90s Yankees and notes that unlike that Yanks lineup, the Phillies position players are all north of 30, with the exception of Shane Victorino.  Keeping Cliff Lee and Ryan Howard after their contracts expire (2010 and 2011, respectively) will also be a challenging task.  Do you think the Phillies are in position to become the next great baseball dynasty?
  • After being fired as the Dodgers' team executive by her estranged husband Frank, Jamie McCourt is now seeking investors to help her buy out her husband and gain sole control of the franchise, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
  • Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger quotes Yankees manager Joe Girardi as saying Nick Swisher is "not a platoon player."  Despite the November acquisition's recent struggles, it's hard to argue with that statement as Swisher has impressed in pinstripes.  Swisher will start in right field over Jerry Hairston Jr. in Game 6 of the ALCS, now slated for 8:20 EST tomorrow night.

Odds & Ends: Uggla, Royals, New Blood

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Here's some links to start off a gorgeous Sunday (at least around these parts)…

  • After calling out teammate Hanley Ramirez, Bill Shaikin of The LA Times wonders if Dan Uggla might get a ticket out of Florida. If so, he says Uggla could be a fit for the Dodgers, who he says "are not expected to engage in a bidding war to retain second baseman Orlando Hudson."
  • Sam Mellinger of The KC Star presents a few ways to improve the Royals for 2010. In addition to not handing out albatross contracts to players like Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Guillen, Mellinger suggests the team trade Alberto Callaspo, nontender Mike Jacobs, and resign Coco Crisp.
  • Joel Sherman of The NY Post rates which teams "succeeded and failed in bringing new blood to their organizations" over the last year. The Yankees take home top honors thanks to additions of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, and Nick Swisher. The Mets … well they come in last.
  • Make sure you follow MLBTR on Twitter for the fastest rumor updates around.
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