Nick Swisher's an interesting name on the free-agent market right now, because he's a productive outfielder who's drawing a ton of interest from a multitude of teams.
According to multiple reports, the Indians, Mariners, Orioles, Red Sox and Giants are all looking at Swisher as a potential outfielder for their roster in 2013.
The Giants aren't considered quite as likely as the other teams to bring Swisher in, primarily because of payroll costs.
San Francisco dished out a big deal to Angel Pagan, re-signed Marco Scutaro and has only a concern with Gregor Blanco in left. But if Swisher's looking for a contract that's bigger than what Pagan got, it's going to be a tough pull.
And that's just what he's doing, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
"The Giants could pursue Swisher if they decide to spend on the left fielder after committing combined a $78 million to retain pitcher Jeremy Affeldt, outfielder Angel Pagan and second baseman Marco Scutaro," Rosenthal writes. "However, the Giants more likely to go with Gregor Blanco and a platoon partner in left."
That rings mostly true with what everyone's been reporting and considering that, via John Shey of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are basically tapped out when it comes to their payroll, even after getting rid of bad contracts like the ones handed to Aubrey Huff, Aaron Rowand, Brian Wilson and Freddy Sanchez.
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So, yes, the Giants would love to get Swisher to come in and play left field for them. But don't get your hopes up -- the more likely scenario is the Giants letting Blanco play and trying to subsidize him with a platoon situation that's not nearly as expensive.
