June 19, 2013

MLB Free Agency: Indians court Swisher with free food, Jim Tressel

December 18, 2012 by 18 Comments

Not having much in terms of wins or a trophy case to polish and display, the Cleveland Indians turned to a few close friends in hopes of attracting free agent outfielder Nick Swisher to play right field for the Wahoos for the foreseeable future.

Matt Loede of 92.3 The Fan reports that Swisher, who paid visit to Cleveland on Monday night and Tuesday afternoon, was treated to dinner with team president Mark Shapiro.Tuesday, he was treated to a lunch with former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel and defensive back Dustin Fox — Swisher, being an alumnus of The Ohio State University — Shapiro, newly hired manager Terry Francona, general manager Chris Antonetti and owner Paul Dolan.

“I think he really likes Francona,” Fox said his meeting with the outfielder. “I think money is the biggest deal, but Francona is one of the biggest reasons that he is here.”

The Indians have reportedly offered Swisher a four-year deal worth upwards of $40 million. They are in a bidding war with the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

[Related: Fun with Numbers: Nick Swisher and Tristan Thompson]

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  • The_Real_Shamrock

    LoL good luck

  • Vindictive_Pat

    Yikes… if it’s mostly about the money, we’re probably going to lose out on him.

  • mgbode

    are you trying to say the Red Sox, Rangers, and WS-champion Giants have more money than us?

  • Garry_Owen

    Thanks to a couple of guys that we recently had on our team, I am very nervous of $10M/year contracts, but man do I hope the Tribe signs Swisher.
    At the same time, this “bidding war” sort of reminds me of the wars that Belgium fought against Germany in the last century.

  • Vindictive_Pat

    I wanted to quietly imply it. Thanks for ratting me out!

  • mgbode

    but we have Tressel!!!

  • Dee P

    Rumor has it that a free Buckeye tattoo was also promised.

    Too soon?

    I love Tress.

  • 216in614

    Well lets see. He came to Cleveland first. So obviously (smartly) he is going to use our offer as a starting place for the teams.

    Even if the other teams don’t pay him more they can put better hitters in front of and behind him.

  • architrance

    Shoot, that’s ’96 Albert Belle type money.
    Just 16 years too late and a penny short.

  • Brendan

    “They are in a bidding war with the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.”
    Yeah, that should end well.

  • mgbode

    great point on coming to the Indians first to “set the market”.

    however, I would say that since this is likely his last “big” contract that he won’t care much about the other hitters around him.

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    We showed him his name in lights? And a video of Thad Matta? What’s next, a Big Chuck, Dick Goddard, and Tim Misny sing-a-thon to get him to come here?

    Sheesh.

  • ThatAlex

    Enlighten me, guys…how would messages and meetings from a couple OSU guys that Swisher has no personal connection to and likely has never met before, and guys who have zero affiliation with the Tribe, make him more likely to sign with Cleveland?

  • Steve

    Maybe we could make a Family Guy style cartoon starring him.

  • http://www.facebook.com/cb.everett.9 CB Everett

    Actually I heard when the check came, Paul Dolan just happened to go use the restroom.

  • thepaledragon

    They should tell Swisher his wife can have full access to the Cleveland Clinic to stage reenactments of every episode of “Animal Practice”

  • Lyon25

    “Hey, we’re near your alma mater” ?? All I can think of

  • architrance

    At least it sounds like the Giants have dropped out. I still think the Rangers will try to make a splash though.