MLB

Swisher gets $56M from Cleveland

SWISH-A-LEAVE-US: Nick Swisher’s four years with the Yankees, marked by the right fielder’s extroverted personality and postseason failures, ended yesterday when the free agent agreed to sign with the Indians. (Getty Images)

Another day, another outfielder leaving the Yankees.

This time, it’s Nick Swisher, who is heading to Cleveland.

Swisher follows Raul Ibanez, who agreed to a deal with Seattle on Saturday.

Unlike Ibanez, though, the Yankees never seriously considered keeping Swisher after he declined their $13.3 million qualifying offer following the season.

Instead, he agreed to a four-year deal from the Indians worth a reported $56 million — with an option that could bring it to $70 million — pending a physical. He made $10 million with the Yankees a year ago.

Swisher spent the past four years in The Bronx after being acquired in a trade from the White Sox, becoming a fan favorite and a consistently productive presence in the lineup.

Just as consistent, though, were his failures in the playoffs.

And with the Yankees focused on getting under the $189 million luxury tax threshold by 2014, the 32-year-old’s desire for a multi-year deal and his status as one of the top outfielders on the free-agent market meant his days in pinstripes were over.

“We’ve been lucky to have him,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “Obviously, we’ve been making some adjustments, and with him being one of the higher-end free agents, we weren’t in a position to bring him back.”

Swisher went to Twitter to react to the news.

“Wow! What a crazy few weeks,’’ wrote Swisher, who went to college at Ohio State and will join Terry Francona, the longtime Red Sox manager, with the Indians. “Hey Cleveland! Are you ready? Because I’m coming home!”

The switch-hitting Swisher also drew interest from the Red Sox, Mariners and Rangers. He replaces Shin-Soo Choo (traded to the Reds) in right field for the Indians. The gregarious Swisher expressed his gratitude to the fans of New York in another tweet.

“Thank you NY for the kindness & support you’ve shown me the past 4 years,” Swisher said. “It’s been an amazing experience & I’ve loved every minute of it!”

Because the Yankees made Swisher the qualifying offer, they will receive a second-round draft pick as compensation from the Indians.

Swisher put up nearly identical numbers in all four years with the Yankees, last season hitting .272 with 24 homers, 93 RBIs and an OPS of .837. He hit well down the stretch to help the Yankees win the AL East and also provided defensive versatility, filling in at first base for the injured Mark Teixeira.

But Swisher will be remembered in part for his disastrous showings in the postseason that hastened his departure. Swisher’s October numbers with the Yankees were ugly: a .162 batting average with seven RBIs in 130 at-bats.

The Yankees now approach 2013 with a starting outfield of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Ichiro Suzuki. Because all three are left-handed hitters, Cashman remains in the market for a right-handed outfielder, with Scott Hairston as a possible candidate.

Hairston, coming off a career year with the Mets in which he hit 20 homers, may be able to find a lengthier deal — as well as more playing time — elsewhere.

* Cashman said a request for Robinson Cano to participate in the Dominican winter league playoffs was rejected.