IT HURT: Nick Swisher, now with the Indians, admits he was “crushed” when the Yankees let him leave via free agency during the offseason. (Getty Images)
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Yankees will miss Nick Swisher. They already do.
Already down an outfielder and a first baseman and a boatload of home runs, the Yankees could use Swisher’s switch-hitting bat in either the outfield or at first base, considering the devastating injuries to Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira.
They elected not to pursue Swisher in free agency, and he signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Indians. Swisher admitted yesterday he was initially “crushed’’ by the Yankees’ decision to move on without him. “That free-agent process is crazy, man,’’ he said.
Like he does with everything in his life, though, Swisher is making the most of the new situation of leadership with the Indians, bro.
Swisher will bat fourth and play first base. He loves the fact manager Terry Francona has chosen to bat him cleanup and he will not be bouncing around as he did in manager Joe Girardi’s lineup that had a lot more stars in it last season than it does now.
“There were a lot of lineup changes in New York,’’ Swisher said. “I was the guy in the lineup that bounced around. I’m not that guy anymore. I’m happy not to be that guy anymore. I’m happy to be in one spot every single day. Show up to the ballpark and know you’re going to be in one spot. I get comfortable in a spot and I just kind of take off.’’
Swisher is looking to soar with 100 RBIs, something he has never done.
“I’m not a numbers guy, but it would be nice to get to that century mark, just to prove to people that you can do that,’’ he said.
Swisher always has a good time and recently went to dinner with Tim Tebow.
“We were bringing nothing but sunshine in there,’’ Swisher said. “Bringing some good to the world. Good dude, man. It’s the second time I’ve gotten a chance to meet him and just kind of sit down and pick his brain about everything. It’s pretty cool.’’
Where will Tebow will end up? “Who knows, man? Tough spot.”
Francona said he loves what Swisher brings to the party.
“I’ve known Swish a long time,’’ Francona said. “I was in Oakland when he was a young kid. He doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks it, he lives it, he breathes it. It works. I don’t care what guys thought about him before. Our guys love him and I do, too. He is so valuable because he plays everywhere and he’s a switch-hitter.’’
In his four years with the Yankees Swisher blasted 105 home runs with 349 RBIs. He struggled mightily in the postseason, batting .162 over 36 postseason games. During his career he has appeared in 46 postseason games, batting only .169.
As for his postseason spat with Yankees fans, Swisher, to his credit, admits he was wrong.
“It was just an emotional time,’’ he said. “I was having a rough playoff and I might’ve spouted off and I shouldn’t have. That’s it, man, sometimes you have to admit when you’re wrong. It just kind of popped out and after going through it, you’re kind of ‘What an idiot you are for saying that stuff.’”
Swisher said he believes the Yankees will find a way to win despite the injuries.
“Oh, man, it’s the New York Yankees, would you expect anything different?’’ he said. “It just kind of seemed like even from the time I was there, regardless of what happened, we always found a way to pull wins off.
“ Playing in a city like New York, you’re expected to win every single year and I see them having a great year. I wish them the best of luck.’’
The injury-riddled Yankees are going to need it.
kevin.kernan@nypost.com