Curtis Granderson hit two home runs and drove in four runs as the Yankees made up for their afternoon loss with an 8-3 evening win over the Orioles. New York hit a total of five homers in the game, all eight runs scoring on the long balls.
Granderson moves ahead of Jose Bautista in the home run race with 38, and ahead of Adrian Gonzalez with 107 RBI.
It’s going to be an interesting MVP vote this season in the AL. Leading the league in home runs and RBI traditionally wins a lot of votes. Jose Bautista, however, is having a much better season, and Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury each produce a lot of value with their gloves. I would vote for Bautista, but if Granderson wins both the home run and RBI title, I would not be surprised if he brought home the trophy.
Granderson also leads in RS by a healthy margin, and R+RBI-HR.
As for his glove, I think UZR and DRS are way off. His ratings likely suffer because of the Yankees positioning strategy which has him play way too shallow. He gets to more shallow balls which don’t save as many runs as the deep FB he can not get to because he plays way too shallow.
UZR loves Jacoby this year, but 2 years ago it hated him and the Red Sox moved him to LF. I have to think Crawford in LF has something to do with it somehow (different positioning), or maybe UZR’s park adjustments.
Also, MGL says UZR for 1 year should be regressed 1 year, but WAR ignores him.
Interesting, pft.
I do think one season of UZR is not worth much in assessing a player (just look at how wildly variable the scores are for one player from year to year). I can believe that Ellsbury is improving — age and experience — but it’s very hard to believe that Granderson declined dramatically this year in fielding.
I think I would vote for Pedroia. Incredible as it sounds, I think the year he is having is *underrated*.
James » Dustin would be a very good choice.