The Indians have signed 32-year old switch-hitting outfielder Nick Swisher to a 4-year, $56 million dollar deal with a club option for 2017 valued at $14 million bucks.  Swisher played in 148 games for the Yankees last year and he was 146 of 537 (.272 avg, .837 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 24 homers, 93 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  He has now played in 1,209 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 1,085 of 4,241 (.256 avg, .828 OPS) with 684 runs scored, 209 homers, 673 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.  This was a great move for the Indians as Swisher will replace Shin-Soo Choo (he was dealt to the Reds) as the new starting right fielder.

The Indians have signed 28-year old lefty starting pitcher Scott Kazmir to a minor league deal.  Kazmir pitched in 14 games (all starts) in Independent ball last year and he was 3-6 with a 5.34 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP.  Kazmir last pitched in the majors back in 2011 with the Los Angeles Angels.  Kazmir has now pitched in 180 games (179 starts) in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 66-61 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.  Kazmir has been an American League All-Star twice so far in his major league career and he has also won double digit games five times.  Kazmir also led the A.L. in strikeouts once.  It never hurts to give a guy like Kazmir a chance to make a comeback.