When the Yankees acquired Nick Swisher from the White Sox in the offseason they had plans for him to be the team’s first basemen.  Then out of nowhere the Yankees snatched up Mark Teixeira and Swisher became expendable.  Swisher was supposed to platoon with Xavier Nady in right field.  The Yankees were said to have too many outfielders and rumors swirled that they were shopping Swisher and Nady.  When Nady went down early in the season with an injury Swisher became the everyday right fielder and Swish took advantage.

Swisher has been a breathe of fresh air for the Yankees.  He is always upbeat, always positive and always has a good attitude.  Swisher has energized the club and the Yankees are benefiting from Swisher’s presence.  Not only did he play very well and basically carried the team in the early part of the season when A-Rod was out and Teixeira was struggling but he is versatile and can play several positions and can bat in several different spots in the order.  

Swish has had his struggles but almost everyone in the Yankees lineup has went through a rough patch or two this season.  Even when Swisher is in a little funk he is still giving the Yankees great at-bats, working the count, making pitchers work and getting on base.  He doesn’t have MVP numbers like Jeter or Tex but he is one of the most important players on the team.  The Yankees’ signings of Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira made headlines in the offseason but Swisher has been right in the middle of the Yankees’ success and didn’t get the attention like those guys.  

Swisher has done so much for this team and will do a lot more.  He doesn’t make all the headlines and doesn’t have the glamour but he deserves a tremendous amount of credit for what he has done this season.  Without Swisher the Yankees would not be where they are in the standings.  What he brings to the field and to the clubhouse cannot be replaced by any player.