Curtis Granderson can solve the Yanks' outfield problems
Posted On Saturday, November 14, 2009 at at 11:05 AM by Francis Isberto
The Yankees have outfield problems this off-season. Melky Cabrera had a good turn-around season in 2009 compared to his disappointing season in 2008 but he still lacks the power and consistency and he doesn't steal bases a lot. Brett Gardner is fast and a base stealer threat but also lack home run prowess and just rely purely on his speed. 2009 acquisition Nick Swisher has power but he played miserable in the post-season. These 3 Yankee outfielders are good but not great.
Johnny Damon can help this guys but he is a free agent and might not come back due to Damon's agent Boras luxurious contract demands.
Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP, is still a dangerous hitter, but his aching knees might be a burden for him to play the outfield. The DH spot is his only option (sharing time with Posada).
So what do the Yankees need to do to fill some holes in the outfield? One option; Detroit Tigers Curtis Granderson.
No, Granderson is not a free agent but the Tiger's GM Dave Dombrowski said they are willing to hear trade offers from other teams about their prized center fielder (although Granderson is not the player Detroit really wants to trade).
The Tigers are in a cost-cutting frame of mind and they have let other GM know that Granderson could be had for the right package.
Brian Cashman met with Dombrowski at the GM Meetings and the two discuss about their needs. They have a good relationship and have made significant trades before.
When Dombrowski was the Marlins GM, he obtained Mike Lowell from the Yanks for three prospects, and in recent years the Tigers and Yankees made the Gary Sheffield trade and swapped Kyle Farnsworth for Ivan Rodriguez.
Granderson is an attractive player who would draw interest from many suitors (so far it's the Cubs, Yankees and the Angels). He is still young (turning 29 by next season), but had a lot of MLB experience on his resume (6 years in the league). Granderson has post-season experience and even went to the World Series against the Cardinals.
Granderson salary is not expensive. He will make an economical $5.5 million in next season, followed by $8.25 million in 2011 and $10 million in 2012. Detroit has the option of paying him $13 million in 2013 or buying him out for $2 million.
Granderson is a powerful hitter (30 homers this season), which could help the Yankees since he is a left handed hitter and may hit 30-40 home runs next season in the Yankee Stadium. He also has speed and can steal base when the team needs to. Defensively, Granderson fits well in center field and covers a lot of grounds due to his speed. He will definitely be an upgrade. Granderson is young, has power and speed, and plays good defense.
But Granderson have a downside. He is terrible against lefties (.183 last year) and strikes out a ton (141 times last year). He stole 20 bases last year but he is not known as a strong instinctual base stealer. But the Yankees can fix that with proper training of Hitting Coach Kevin Long.
So how would this become possible? The Yankees should trade enough value to get Curtis Granderson. The center of trade discussion is Austin Jackson, Yankees top prospect. A-Jax shows sign of becoming a good player but he is still a prospect. Granderson has prove that he belong to the league. Add a few more players to clinch the deal and the Yankees will have their outfield problems fix.
The Yankees won't mind Johnny Damon leaving (Granderson will fit in nicely in the 2-hole), and they will still have funds to address their other needs like pitching. They may have the luxury to sign Matsui for one year (If Matsui agrees). If the Yankees all accomplish this, the road to No. 28 World Series title will become clearer.
