That appeared to be the case when Yankees general manager Brian Cashman acquired Nick Swisher and a minor leaguer from the Chicago White Sox last November for back-up infielder Wilson Betemit and a pair of minor leaguers.

The switch-hitting first baseman/outfielder was not promised the job but it seemed that he might be the Bombers best option – at the time. Although he was coming off a less than sub-par season on the South Side of the Windy City (.291, 24, 69), Swisher had a fairly successful tenure in Oakland. His best season came in 2006 when he hit .254 with 35 long balls and 95 runs batted in.

The leading free agent first baseman on the market was Mark Teixeira, who was contemplating offers from Boston, Washington and Baltimore. The Yankees swooped in at the 11^th hour and inked the Maryland native two days before Christmas to an eight-year, $180 million deal.

Relegated to a super-sub role behind not only Teixeira, but also Johnny Damon (left field), Xavier Nady (right field) and Hideki Matsui (designated hitter), the son of former major league catcher Steve Swisher just went about his business the only way he knew how.

He played and produced when called upon and finally got a chance to start when Nady went down for what appears to be the season with an injury. Swisher’s batting average is not where he would like it to be (.238), but he has been a producer with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and 39 RBI.

“I’m having a good year so far,” said Swisher. “[As a team], I don’t think that we have reached our full potential, but it’s still early in the season and we feel good about ourselves.” At press time, the Yankees were 2.5 games behind Boston in the American League East with a 45-43 mark.

Besides playing left and right field, first base and DH, Swisher even threw a scoreless inning during a blowout loss early in the season. He gave up one hit, walked and struck out one apiece.

Swisher had no regrets about being dealt to New York, even after the acquisition of Teixeira. In fact, his feelings are just the opposite. “(It’s) absolutely wonderful,” he said. “It’s a great thing. I’m just honored to be wearing the pinstripes.”

The regal Yankees clubhouse has never been known as a place for a lot of fun and is usually all business. Swisher, known as a free spirit, would seem like an odd match for the ‘Bronx Wall of Silence.’ Has he tried to inject some of his energy into his new teammates?

“I’m not trying to break them down,” he said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to fit in. It’s been great. The team and the fans have really welcomed me into the city of New York.”

If he keeps getting clutch hits and playing good defense, the welcoming committee will continue deep into the summer.

“We feel, especially in the division, we need a little more jam on our team,” coach John Tortorella said to reporters in Greenburgh. “Hopefully he can kick in a couple of goals. I haven’t coached Sean, I want to see what he’s all about. I’ve seen him play. When he’s concentrating on playing under a team concept, he’s an effective player. That’s what we’re looking for. He’s really tried to help himself and Glen [Sather] believes in second chances. I think he’s done his homework here and we’ll see where it goes.”

By claiming him on re-entry waivers, the Rangers will be responsible for half of the $3.875 million cap hit on his contract with the Dallas Stars paying the other half of his salary.

On paper, this was a no-brainer, since the Rangers wanted Avery back, but not at the rate he got from the Stars. Now, they will have him at their price.

But after making disparaging comments about some of his teammates, namely Stephen Valiquette – calling him a “minor leaguer” on the MSG Network – how he will fit in without Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, and coach Tom Renney is the question everyone wants answered.

“I think it’ll be great,” Ranger captain Chris Drury said to reporters. “The only two things I need to know and I think the other guys in this room need to know are: One, that he wants to be here, that he wants to be a Ranger, he loves wearing the jersey, he loves living in New York and second, he wants to win a Stanley cup. What more could you ask for of a teammate?”

Well, the Rangers will want the old Avery, who tormented opposing goalies, especially Marty Brodeur, and knocked the other team off their game. If he can hone in those skills, while keeping the off ice antics in check then this could be a success.

Yet with Tortorella as coach, it’s not a definite, since he made comments about Avery after he was suspended back in November for making remarks about his former girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert.

“Enough is enough,” Tortorella said as a broadcaster on TSN in Canada. “He’s embarrassed himself, he’s embarrassed the [Dallas] organization, he’s embarrassed the league and he’s embarrassed his teammates, who have to look out for him. Send him home. He doesn’t belong in the league.”

But Sather felt otherwise and wanted to make this move to give his forward a second chance.

“He doesn’t have the history with Sean that we do,” Sather said on a conference call last week. “Over time, you learn to love him, just like I do.”

Avery is scheduled to practice tomorrow, and may suit up against the Islanders on Thursday.