MLB teams
Andrew Marchand, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Nick Swisher close to rejoining Yankees with minor-league deal

MLB, New York Yankees

DETROIT -- Nick Swisher, an integral member of the New York Yankees' 2009 championship team, will try to resurrect his career with his former franchise on a minor-league deal.

Swisher, 35, will have the opportunity to hone his skills in the Yankees' system as the team looks at him as a potential backup first baseman and outfielder. Swisher, who was cut in spring training by the Atlanta Braves, has been working out at the Yankees' facility in Tampa, Florida.

The minor-league contract is not yet signed, but a team spokesman said a deal is expected to be completed shortly. Swisher is expected to begin at Triple-A Scranton.

Swisher's arrival could provide protection for 35-year-old first baseman Mark Teixeira, whom they would like to rest more this season. The Yankees have Dustin Ackley as Teixeira's backup, but there are questions about Ackley's defensive skills, and his offensive numbers aren't comparable to Swisher's production in the past.

Swisher has not been a marquee player since leaving the Yankees via free agency following the 2012 season, when he hit .272 with 24 home runs and 93 RBIs. He signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Cleveland Indians, with whom he hit just .224 over the past three seasons.

The Indians traded Swisher to the Braves, who let him go this spring. Swisher, who is being paid $15 million by the Indians and Braves to not play for them this year, has had surgeries on both of his knees.

"I still feel like I can do this," Swisher told The Associated Press in Tampa. "... This place is like family."

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