With the pros and cons of Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui already laid out, I think it is time that we lay out the pros and cons trading for Curtis Granderson, the CF for the Detroit Tigers. Recently, the New York Post has indicated that the Yankees would likely target Granderson and I believe if the situation is right, they will.
Pros
With all due to respect to Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, if the Yankees picked up a CF’er of the caliber of Curtis Granderson, it would be the first time since Bernie Williams where everyone knew who the would be playing in center field come opening day. In 2009, Granderson hit .245 with an OPS of .780. He also hit 30 HR’s, drove in 72 runs, walked 71 times and stole 20 bases. Now, I know what you’re saying, ‘His average is .245, what is so great about him?’ That is a completely fair question to ask. If you look further into the numbers, Granderson hit .275 against right handers. He also hit 10 of his HR’s in spacious Comerica Park. Also, he has a .272 career batting average (.301 vs Righties), so 2009 might be more of an aberration than anything else. For 2010 and 2011, his salary would also be under the $10 million, which is likely under Johnny Damon’s asking price to boot. To top all of this off, he would be an improvement over a re-signed Johnny Damon and he turns 29 in March 2010.
Cons
Granderson is a talented player and Detroit could hold out for premium players, such as Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero (unlikely) or some other possible minor league pitchers (See: Mike Dunn, Ian Kennedy — He still has trade value!, etc al). His downfall? Hitting against left handed pitchers. He bats .201 career against lefties, thus making him a platoon player as the season progresses and the premium arms (Hamels, Lee, Lester) come out to play in October. Another downfall is that his strikeouts. He has struck out 618 times in 2,500+ at bats.
Outcome
While I am not 100% sold on Curtis Granderson, from what his stats say, he wouldn’t be a bad pick up for the Bronx Bombers. However, if the Tigers have a high asking price, then I think it’s likely the Yankees might just let him go to a team that is willing to part with a few prospects. While Granderson helps the Yankees get younger and further under a $200 million dollar team salary, I don’t think its worth mortgaging younger talent. According to last years stats, we would just be receiving another version of Nick Swisher, just a little faster and a better fielder. Don’t get me wrong, I like Nick a lot, I just don’t think we need to add a second sub .275 career hitter especially if we’re going to platoon him in big situations against lefties like Lee, Hamels, or Lester. I’d rather re-sign Damon for another year (maybe plus an option) and wait for Austin Jackson to get called up than pick up Granderson. Would you send a few prospects, for example, let’s say three decent prospects, to Detroit for Nick Swisher version 2.0?
Kevin Rozell
Rob Bradley
7 more days until pitchers and catchers report
I’d say a lot of it depends on what Detroit would want. If the asking price isn’t crazy or comes down if the Yankees take a big contract then it’s ok. But if you’re talking about losing good prospects then I’d want to see them back away.
Granderson looks to me like a lateral move to what we already have, at least offensively, and not a super upgrade on defense. Damon, Granderson, Swish and Gardner is little upgrade over Melky and Co. And if you keep Melky at #4 instead of Gardner, you give up the blinding speed factor.
My take is..while Granderson would be good to have, he is not enough of an upgrade for the price.