Nick Swisher

Dude, bro…Swisher was awful in 2014. The chillaxing outfielder had a horrendous season across the board as most of his numbers fell into a three-year decline with 2014 being best described as an accelerated fall into the statistical abyss. Pitchers threw him more strikes than ever because they simply were not that worried because Swisher was not driving the ball. In 2012, Yankee Stadium hid those ills, but when they came back in 2014, Progressive Field could not hide them. Thus, it was the first time Swishalicious failed to hit at least 20 homers since he was called up in 2004. The other unfortunate outcome of 2014 is that Swisher is no longer eligible in the outfield and can only be used at first base. His skill set is not too tough to replace at first base and there is no upside to his production. That’s a real bummer, man.

Swisher battled a nagging shoulder injury for much of the season, which contributed to his lowest home-run output in seven years and his lowest batting average in five years. That he managed to reach that level of power while playing through a shoulder injury is somewhat surprising however, and Indians GM Chris Antonetti indicated that Swisher was fully healthy by early December. Swisher's batting average has never been a strength, but a keen eye at the plate helps him get on base, and in turn score runs. He will split his time between right field, first base and DH, and he remains pretty durable despite some nagging injuries, having played in at least 145 games in each of the past eight seasons.

Swisher was one of many Yankees who flopped in the playoffs in 2012, but he put up another solid regular season, hitting over 20 homers for the eighth consecutive season and driving in over 80 runs for the fourth straight year. Swisher is one of the more patient hitters in baseball, and provides even more value in leagues that count on-base percentage. He signed a four-year, $56 million with Cleveland, and with the trade of Shin-Soo Choo, Swisher will slot into the middle of the Cleveland order while taking over as the primary right fielder. The move to Cleveland causes some concerns considering the lineup he's in -- as well as the downgrade in home hitting environments -- that could reduce his value from his recent seasons with the Yankees.

Swisher got off to an awful start in 2011, hitting just .213 with three homers over the first two months of the season, but he had a huge June and July and ended up putting up numbers pretty much in line with his career norms. Swisher's major attribute at the plate is his batting eye; he consistently puts up on-base percentages at least 100 points higher than his batting average, giving him significantly more value in leagues that count OBP. At 31, he's unlikely to approach the 35 homers he hit for the A's back in 2006, but he should put up numbers in line with what he's done the past few years, making him a fine option to fill out your outfield if you can get him cheap.

Swisher was probably one of the Yankees' most valuable players last season for providing his typical power (29 homers), but also for shattering his previous career high with a .288 batting average. That number will almost certainly drop in 2011 (a very favorable .335 BABIP played a major role in his success), but Swisher significantly improved his line drive percentage last season and seemed to evolve into a better hitter. He's locked into a starting job in one of the best offenses and one of the most favorable ballparks in the majors.

Expected to be the Yankees’ fourth outfielder after being acquired from the White Sox, Swisher instead became the starting right fielder in place of the injured Xavier Nady and blasted 29 homers with 82 RBI. With the outfield in flux entering 2010, he’ll have a chance to earn a spot again, though the Yankees were reportedly shopping him over the winter and he could wind up elsewhere in 2010. Considering 21 of his homers came on the road, a move out of hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium may not be as damaging to his home-run totals as one would initially think.

For batters, batting average on balls in play is a skill, although one susceptible to fluctuation. Swisher had an awful year in that department, so while he's never going to hit .300, his .266 BABIP left him closer to .200. The missing singles and doubles should return, and now that he's a Yankee, he's in a lineup that will boost his R and RBI numbers. He's a strong upside play in all formats.

Swisher played through a series of nagging injuries, but showed an improved batting eye in 2007 despite a drop in home runs. His reluctance to come out of the lineup will lead to some rather lengthy slumps, and his power might not ever reach his 2006 level again but there's plenty to like here. Swisher was traded to the White Sox in January for Gio Gonzalez, Fautino De Los Santos and Ryan Sweeney. He should benefit from the change in ballparks.

Swisher got off to a blazing start to the 2006 season, swatting nearly half (16) of his 35 homeruns in his first 53 games before hitting the skids in June and July. He rebounded nicely, hitting 13 homeruns after August 6th. A series of illnesses that caused him to drop 15 pounds in early July certainly would seem to point to part of the power outage. The A's could use his on-base percentage at the top of the lineup, but may be tempted to move him down to the middle of the order with the departure of Frank Thomas. Having just turned 26 in late November, Swisher should be entering his prime.

Swisher hit .218 or lower in four months but a hot July (.278/.364/.588, six HR, 21 RBI) saved his season from being a complete disaster. Nonetheless, his struggles against lefties (.203/.310/.325) could result in a platoon with Bobby Kielty or Jay Payton if the A's acquire another outfield bat this winter. He's going to have to hit for a higher average or a ton more power if he wants to be anything more than a marginal outfield option in most leagues.

Swisher will likely be the A's starting right fielder in 2005 following Jermaine Dye's departure to the White Sox. There's a Matt Stairs-like season in him for 2005, hitting with patience and good power.

One of Billy Beane's Moneyball picks from the 2002 amateur draft. Swisher tore through Single-A, posting a .418 OBP and .550 SLG, before struggling upon his initial introduction to Double-A where he hit .230 in 76 games. He flashed patience in the AFL, drawing 17 walks in 22 games, but not much power. He'll start the year at Double-A and could see time in the A's outfield by mid-2005.

A's first pick in June draft, he signed and made his pro debut. Showed the typical solid walk rate coveted by the A's, but with limited power and a low batting average. A few years away yet from the roto radar.