Joel Sherman of the Post has been writing about the availability of Curtis Granderson and his being a perfect fit for the Yankees. I can't speak to Granderson as a player since I can't honestly say I pay too much attention to anyone on the Tigers, but I do like his work as an analyst for ESPN during the postseason. Even if he was a bust on the field, I'm sure he'd entertain the other players on the bench with his in-game analysis.
The point is, because Detroit is having a fire sale, a phrase taken from the days when down on their luck business owners would set fire to their store and try to sell as much as they could before it was all consumed in a hellish inferno, the Yankees might be able to get Granderson without giving up way too much (cf. Halladay trade). This would put them in a position of strength in negotiating with Damon and Matsui, in the view of Sherman. Granted, it would cost us Austin Jackson. Would it be worth it to get a 29 year old outfielder with lefty power?
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I like Granderson. I don't know much about him really other than observing he is a great athlete. Since money isn't as big of a concern for the Yankees, the only question is whether Jackson projects to be better than Granderson. I guess that's kind of obvious. My point is putting the best team you can together is more important than bringing them up from the minors.
Is it fair to compare Damon and Abreu? I know Boras is saying Damon should get a raise, but to me that seems like a good comparison. Unless my brain is playing tricks on me Abreu signed for less than what Boras wants for Damon.
It'll depend on how this free agent market plays out. Last year was a bad year economically speaking, and there were a lot of quality free agents left unsigned well into the hot stove season. Abreu signed the best deal available, but this year could be different. I think that because it is such a weak free agent crop, players who had good years can demand and get bigger contracts than last year.
Improving the outfield to a level of credibility is imperative, and Granderson plays like a legit major league CF, something we haven't been seeing in pinstripes for a while.
If not Granderson, then who?
Melky's a good defensive player, but he can't hit like Granderson. You gotta wonder how much better Melky can get, and I have the sneaking suspicion that we've seen what we're going to see out of him. Granderson strikes out a lot, but he'll give you some power and speed. He'd definitely be an upgrade in center.
I see Melky as no more than adequate defensively and Granderson as an upgrade not just offensively but defensively, but maybe that's just me.
Anyway I'm not so much arguing for Granderson per se as for an actual major-league CF, whoever that may turn out to be.
I made the same argument last year, only for 'an actual firstbaseman' -- wasn't pushing for MT or any specific player, just very tired of seeing the equivalent of garden statuary standing at 1b as we had for some years.
And before someone says, 'but Melky is a major-league CF', I'll just add that of course that is what he gets paid to be, but what he performs as, in my opinion, is a AAAA CF.
No, you're right. Melky is a very good replacement, but he's always been more of a supplementary player. A guy like Granderson would be a considerable upgrade.
I know what you mean about first base. I had legitimately forgotten what a good first baseman looked like until Teixeira got here.
Good, then I can count on you to be in Cashman's ear, as usual...
Abreu signed a new two year contract with an optional third for $9m/year. That's what I was referring too. Abreu is a slightly better contact hitter and Damon has a bit more power, but they seem to be in the same neighborhood.
Granderson in cf with Damon in left is a pretty decent outfield.
Oh geez, I completely missed that. Yeah, I think they're comparable players, and I think Damon won't get much more than that. Boras is insane if he thinks he'll get more than the $13 million he got before. Boras says he's durable, but Abreu's been much more healthy over the years. 2 years at $9 million with a third year club option that sets in with plate appearances or a $1 million buyout is more than fair for a guy like Damon.
Granderson or his like in CF would definitely make Damon and Swisher (who does get replaced defensively at times) more palatable. Any good CF could brighten the whole OF picture. That's why such a guy is one of the two things I want our FO to get me for Christmas.
I like Granderson but his splits are pretty bad. He put up an OPS of .484 against lefties with a batting average of .183. He has good power though. We may have to just start appreciating Melky for what he is. A decent, though not fantastic center fielder, with doubles power and a mediocre approach at the plate. He's the #9 hitter.
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