Atlanta seems out as a vacation spot for Nick Swisher. The veteran certainly prefers The Bronx.
Swisher called his spring release from the Braves a “slap in the face” because it was done so late in the spring, limiting his opportunities to go elsewhere. He was cut on March 28 and signed a minor league contract with the Yankees on April 14.
“I’m a respect guy,” the 35-year-old outfielder told NJ.com after going 1-for-4 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday in a loss to the Phillies’ affiliate. “I think for somebody who has accumulated that many years — you know what you’re going to do. [And then] you’re told, ‘You don’t fit in?’ That’s kind of a slap in the face.
“So I think for myself, whether I’m trying to prove them wrong … more than anything, it’s just the love and the backing I’ve gotten from all the New York fans since I’ve been back in this organization, that’s the stuff I have time for man.”
Since rejoining the Yankees’ organization, Swisher has been impressive, hitting .357 with three homers, six RBIs and an .863 OPS in 11 games while playing mostly first base. The Yankees don’t have a quality backup option for Mark Teixeira. At the moment, that role belongs to utility man Dustin Ackley.
“I just feel it’s time, man,” Swisher said. “This is my shot. This is it. It’s going to happen or it’s not. I’m going to fight for it, man. I’m going to scratch and claw and do whatever I can to get myself on a team. I hope it’s with the Yankees. And if it’s not, it’s somebody else. I just want to get myself back.”
Swisher was used predominantly as a right fielder in his four seasons with the Yankees. He played there on Monday for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He believes he could be an option there for the Yankees, too.
“It’s nice to be able to do that, show people I can do that,” Swisher said. “I’ve never been a burner. I’ve never been one of those super-fast guys. And there’s nothing really that I’m going to do right now that really surprises people. I’m going to go out there, bring passion and fire every day, and do the same thing I’ve been doing for the past 13 years.”