Brian Cashman: Losing Nick Swisher would create big hole in Yankees’ roster

Not sure he’ll ever be listed as a Yankee World Heritage Site (obligatorre ~ PS CHOKE ARTIST! ~ entry) though.

Brian Cashman acknowledged Wednesday that, as of this moment, there are “gaping holes” on his roster.

Not the least of which, the general manager said, will be in rightfield if, as expected, Nick Swisher rejects the team’s $13.3-million qualifying offer by Friday and hits the market.

At that point, Swisher likely would command a contract the Yankees, trying to get the payroll to $189 million by 2014 to avoid stiff luxury tax penalties, aren’t willing to offer.

“Swisher was awesome for us,” Cashman said.

The outfielder’s postseason struggles stand out in many people’s minds but Swisher, 31, was a player who, over his four years with the Yankees, averaged 26 homers and 87 RBIs per season.

“That’s a beast,” Cashman said of the switch hitter. ” . . . If it’s not him out there, which I can’t say one way or the other, I can’t predict, but it’s going to take a lot of work to replace what he provided.”

...“I just don’t see much there,” said one opposing team talent evaluator familiar with the Yankees’ system. “I don’t see any Monteros.”