March 29, 2010

Players A to Z, Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson played the outfield for the Detroit Tigers in 2009. In the off season, the New York Yankees acquired him in a trade. The 2009 season represented an off-year for Granderson, as his OBP was well below his career average, and even further below the .363 mark of his two previous seasons. The question the Yankees needed to ask themselves was if that 2009 season was a fluke, or did Granderson peak early? They obviously decided on the fluke season. That would be the safe bet.

Granderson does not hit left-handed pitching well. Interestingly, however, his best overall season in 2007 was also his worst against LHP, so his ability to hit lefties doesn’t impact his overall stats that much. He really needs to pound righties.

I would actually worry more about Granderson’s defense. After excellent years in 2006 and 2007, he’s been average to below average the last two. With his triples dropping the last two years, I really wonder if he lost a step. I would not be at all surprised to see Brett Gardner end up in centerfield to give the Yankees better defense, with Granderson moving to left.

Despite the caveats, I think the Yankees acquisition of Granderson was the right move. Just like when they signed Damon, the Yankees get younger at an important position, but with a solid veteran rather than an untested rookie. That’s not a bad way to keep your club in contention for long periods of time.

2 thoughts on “Players A to Z, Curtis Granderson

  1. Pingback: Afternoon Links « Caught Looking

  2. Hunter Felt

    As a Sox fan, I was surprised when Yankees fans didn’t understand that the C.C. Sabbathia signing was the best possible free agent signing for the Yankees in the last five years, and I’m still a bit surprised that Yanks fans don’t understand how the Granderson trade makes them better.

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