The Kansas City Royals officially lost their first free agent on Tuesday night. Designated hitter Billy Butler signed with the Oakland Athletics for three years and $30 million and now the team must work on replacing him. Who are the remaining free-agent and trade options?
Aside from Butler, the Royals have a need in the outfield since Nori Aoki is likely leaving via free agency. They've previously been linked to free agents Torii Hunter, Michael Morse and Yasmany Tomas, who could both serve in right field as well as the DH position if needed. Philadelphia Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard and Atlanta Braves' catcher/outfielder were also considered to be trade targets for the Royals.
But what about Cleveland Indians first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher?
The Indians are exploring a potential trade for Swisher, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The switch-hitter has a minimum of two years and $30 million remaining on his contract and also has a $14 million vesting option for 2017 if he has 550 plate appearances in 2016. Now that the team has Yan Gomes at catcher and moved Carlos Santana to first base, Cleveland likely doesn't want to pay an aging designated hitter $15 million per year, especially one coming off season-ending surgery on both of his knees.
If we look at it from a front office perspective, it might be a good idea. The Royals probably wouldn't have to give up much for him, and his ability to hit home runs has not been an issue throughout his career until he was battling injuries this past season. From 2005-2013, Swisher smacked 229 home runs and 728 RBIs with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Indians. He also has much experience at the first base, right field and designated hitter positions, all of which the Royals are in need of.
Aoki was the team's right fielder and Butler was the DH/part-time first baseman. Swisher could serve as the Royals' designated hitter and provide depth at the other two positions in the field. Additionally, he's $10 million cheaper per year than Ryan Howard and would cost a lot less than Gattis would in a trade. Swisher began rehab in September (one month after his surgeries) and was said to be pain-free at that point. If the soon-to-be 34-year-old makes a quick and successful recovery, he'd be an option the Royals should consider.
After all, Kansas City is looking for home run hitters, and they likely won't get the production they want from Hunter or Morse. Meanwhile, Tomas is expected to land a contract near $100 million, which is probably out of the team's budget since they have to work on extending some players for the future.
According to Dick Kaegal of MLB.com, "the DH could be used to give at least partial rest to such everyday guys as Alex Gordon, Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain or Eric Hosmer, as well as others," which makes Swisher a good fit if he's healthy. They could toss him in right field when the outfielders are given a rest and move Jarrod Dyson to either the left field or center field positions depending on who's taken out. He can easily fill in for Hosmer at first base as well.
Although Rosental tweeted the Indians would be looking for another inflated contract in return, I'm sure they can make due not taking on another large annual salary.
