Does Granderson make sense for the Yankees?

November 15, 2009 by Mike Axisa 162 Comments

Steve at TYU takes a look at Curtis Granderson to see if he’s really a fit for the Yanks. Granderson’s lefty pop would fit nicely in the Stadium, but as Steve notes, he should start taking the ball back up the middle to get back to his offensive levels of a few years ago. Remember, Jason Giambi had a similar problem: he had to go to all fields in Oakland because of the park, but once he got to NY he started trying to pull everything, which dropped his overall production.

Anyway, Steve says there’s a fit for the Yanks if the price is right, which pretty much holds true for every player in the game. It’s good stuff, so make sure you head over and give it a read.

Salty Buggah

If the Yanks do not trade for him (say the asking price is too much), I can see many people, especially Francesa, next year complaining to get him. HE HIT TEH 30 HRs!!!
- JGS
  
  and Jeter, despite hitting 12 fewer home runs, still outslugged him
  - Salty Buggah
    
    Pfft, dont get into those “advanced” stats. He still hit more HRs than Jeter so Granderson’s power>>>>>Jeter’s
    - ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
      
      Yeah, but OPS is a rather new stat.
      - JGS
        
        I’m not talking about OPS (though Jeter led there by a ton), I’m talking strict slugging percentage, which is far from an advanced stat
        
        Jeter: .465
        Granderson: .453
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        I know, I just tried to make fun of Tim McCarver.
        
        Salty Buggah
        
        Yea, I know. I was being sarcastic/irrational to mock those potential complainers next year. To be honest, I’m kinda looking forward to the comedy.
        
        JGS
        
        Francesa would have a field day every time Gardner made an out. ugh
        
        Zack
        
        Francesa, the person who wanted to trade Hughes and Jackson so McLouth could be the Yankees CF for the next decade.
        
        Will in Nj
        
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmHHMNZf2zg
        
        “I like the way his blond hair flops around”
  - Reggie C.
    
    Granderson is 28 and very likely can repeat that HR output at the new YS. Jeter is 34…
    - Salty Buggah
      
      Well, thats not the main point really. Point is that he isnt very good.
    - JGS
      
      .210/.270/.344
      
      That’s Granderson vs. lefties for his whole career
    - http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering
      
      Are you really comparing Jeter vs. Granderson? Or just talking about home runs?
JGS

he strikes out a ton, and can’t hit lefties. who wants a $24M guaranteed platoon player?
- pat
  
  Esp. when we’re gonna have to give up premium talent to get him.
  - andrew
    
    We said this about swisher too…
    - MikeD
      
      What premium talent did we give up for Swisher? Swish was also supposed be part of a platoon (with Nady), makes less, and his BABIP suggested a rebound. Nothing about Granderson suggests a rebound unless he accepts part-time playing status.
    - JGS
      
      he didn’t get hits off lefties in 2008 but still had a .359 OBP, and for his career he actually hits lefties slightly better albeit with less power. Granderson has never hit lefties remotely well and now is almost an automatic out against them
      
      and if we can get Granderson for the talent level we gave up for Swisher, sign me up
    - whozat
      
      You might have. People who bothered to do some research didn’t. Who ever called Swisher a platoon player? And who thought they’d need to give up premium talent? People were talking about having to send Damon+cash, and they wound up sending jack squat.
- thurdonpaul
  
  ditto
Tom Zig

Nice work, Mr. The Artist
http://amonthhoffundays.blogspot.com/ PhilinLA

He’d be a very good fit for the Yanks.
- Salty Buggah
  
  ONLY at a great price.
  - JGS
    
    great = along the lines of the Swisher package.
    
    anything more than that and Detroit can keep him
    - Tom Zig
      
      What if Detroit asks for Ajax and Z-Mac or IPK? Would you do it then?
      
      Not saying it’ll happen, but just hypothetically speaking.
      - Salty Buggah
        
        Nope, never
      - JGS
        
        no–Granderson is not worth Ajax
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        I have a hard time believing this. Mainly because Ajax has 0 power. Oh, and he’s never played in a Major League game.
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        Well, I shouldn’t say zero power but as of now it’s minimal.
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        I think NYY fans are overvalueing Ajax by a lot. He currently looks like a very poor man’s Michael Bourn. Sure, the talent is there, but if you’re Detroit, do you want to bet on it?
        
        JGS
        
        he is four years younger than Michael Bourn
        
        Power may or may not come, but I would rather take the chance on Ajax than go for the known strikeout-machine-platoon-player that Granderson is
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        Ajax sadly is a high-strikeout player, too. What kind of player to you think we could get for him?
        
        Hey ZZ
        
        Austin Jackson is still pretty raw as a baseball player, but his minor league career so far point to him being every bit the strikeout-machine Granderson is
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        C-Grand’s 2008 was arguably better than Swisher’s 2009. 24 HR’s and 13 3B’s. How’d you like that production out of centerfield?
        
        JGS
        
        I don’t know, but someone better than Granderson, who is not that good a ballplayer
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        How is Granderson “not that good a ballplayer?”
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        C-Grand’s 2008 was arguably better than Swisher’s 2009. 24 HR’s and 13 3B’s. How’d you like that production out of centerfield?
        
        It would be fantastic … if you could acquire it for Wilson Betemit and two disposable minor league pitchers.
        
        JGS
        
        bit of a small sample on Gardy’s part, but Granderson hits lefties worse than Melky and even Brett Gardner
        
        you want to pay 24M over a few years for a platoon player?
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        heh. Even Cash couldn’t make that deal. Or can he… ;)
        
        JGS
        
        22 year old AAA rookie Ajax–.300/.354/.405
        
        22 year old AAA rookie Jorge Posada–.240/???/.406
        
        Jorge never slugged higher than .472 in his six year minor league career, but has surpassed that eight times in his big league career, including four years of over .500
        
        Jackson’s career high is .476
        
        patience
        
        http://twitter.com/riddering Riddering
        
        True Yankees save their power for the big leagues.
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        I have patience but acting like it is a given that Ajax will turn into a power hitting centerfielder is silly.
        
        You told me Granderson is not worth Ajax, I don’t see it.
        
        It’s more than possible that Ajax can’t even match Melk’s production as a centerfielder on the New York Yankees.
        
        Doug
        
        agree with you. ajax is a poor man’s granderson…strikes out just as much but without the power
        
        whozat
        
        Yes. Jackson, at 22, is a Poor Man’s Granderson. Because, you know, it makes TOTAL sense to compare a 22 year old’s first year at AAA to the career of a mature major league ball player.
        
        Doug
        
        wasn’t just looking at one year, but his career trends. yes, they’ve been in the minors, but his K rate has only gotten worse as he’s moved up the ladder.
    - Salty Buggah
      
      That’s what Im thinking
Salty Buggah

I’m serious here: Do you think Kennedy gets it done? I doubt it but still. It seems like a good trade to me.
- Crazy Eyes Killa
  
  I’m under the impression that Kennedy and A-Jax does not get it done
  - JGS
    
    then hang up the phone
Crazy Eyes Killa

One scenario I’ve never thought of until now: what if you let both Hideki and Damon go. You trade for Granderson AND sign Cameron on a one year, put Melky in right and move Swish to DH. That would be some ridic OF defense.
- JGS
  
  Granderson’s UZR the last two years
  
  +1.6
  -8.9
  - Crazy Eyes Killa
    
    so put cameron in center Grandy in left
  - http://www.i-yankees.com iYankees
    
    More data:
    
    2006: +13.7
    2007: +14.2
    2008: +-8.9
    2009: +1.6
    - JGS
      
      yup–he was a good fielder, hence his defensive reputation
      
      2009: 141
      2008: 111 (in 141 games)
      2007: 141
      2006: 174 (!!!!)
      
      those are his strikeouts. I want no part of this guy unless he costs nothing
      - http://www.i-yankees.com iYankees
        
        Over the past 2 years, he has battled a few injuries which have hurt his level of play. Perhaps this explains the dip in defense, but I’m not sure, of course. He strikes out a lot, however, the utility of his other tools could very well negate that one flaw. He just has to be able to hit lefties, though, that’s the biggest issue (he doesn’t have to mash, just hit them at a respectable clip).
        
        JGS
        
        and he now has a full season’s worth of plate appearances that says he can’t. Ryan Howard is the poster child for “he can’t hit lefties” but that is really only because he is so good against righties
        
        Howard vs. LHP: .226/.310/.444
        Granderson vs. LHP: .210/.270/.344
        Jose Molina against everyone (career): .235/.277/.332
- Tom Zig
  
  I don’t know if Melky would be an upgrade defensively over Swisher. Melky hasn’t played much RF in his career and Swish only had a -1.2 UZR/150 this season.
  - http://www.i-yankees.com iYankees
    
    I think it was Swisher’s arm that killed him. His range out in right was above average. I definitely think Melky would be an upgrade, but if the Yankees were to trade for Granderson, I would then expect them to trade Melky and bring in another left fielder.
    - Tom Zig
      
      Ehhh I don’t know about that, I think the difference is marginal at best if any difference at all.
- Salty Buggah
  
  “That would be some ridic OF defense.”
  
  But is it worth the cost? Prospects + a lot of money for Grandy and Cameron.
  - JGS
    
    well, it’s money you won’t be paying Damon and Matsui, and Granderson is only due 5.5M next year
    
    the prospect cost is too much though
  - Crazy Eyes Killa
    
    If you let 2 bats walk, you need 2 bats going forward, none of us know what they are going to do obviously but they can’t just do nothing and let guys walk, you want Shelley Duncan DH-ing a sizable chunk of games next year? Cash doesn’t either
    - Tom Zig
      
      Z-mac and IPK only project to be like middle of the rotation starters, giving up one of them plus AJax (who is being replaced by Granderson, so you’re not really creating any holes) isn’t a prohibitive cost in my eyes. (maybe I’m wrong and just under valuing IPK, Z-Mac and AJax?)
      
      Although I’m willing to listen to what other people have to say on this issue.
      - Salty Buggah
        
        Here’s what I see. Grandy has to provide more (at least equal) value over his remaining contract than $24 million+ Whatever value A-Jax and IPK/Z-Mac will provide in those four years. It all depends on what value you think everyone will provide. I dont think Grandy will provide that much to make it a good deal as he’s been on the decline and is currently pretty much a platoon player. He did provide $15.2 mil in WAR dollars in 09 so it probably will be a good deal. But what if he decline even more in both facets of the game? (OPS+ has gone from 135, 123, to 100 in the past 3 years). And you have to assume that the value of Ajax and IPK/Z-Mac wont be a lot, which it can be if Ajax provides a decent bat and good D while the pitchers eat up innings at least league average (and I think they can provide above-avg innings, making them even more valuable)
      - Salty Buggah
        
        And you have to remember that middle of the rotation starters are very valuable.
        
        whozat
        
        Yup. They cost 10-14MM on the open market, depending on their age and expected durability.
    - Salty Buggah
      
      True but I am one of those who want Matsui and Damon back on short 1+1 deals. I think Matsui will sign but if Damon doesnt, I’ll be more than happy with Cameron. No Grandy though (considering he’ll cost at least a modest price in prospects)
      - JGS
        
        this
Teix is the Man

Colin Curtis and Jason Hirsh for Granderson and Verlander. Make it happen Cash (If they want Shelley they can have him too)!
- ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
  
  I fear it would take Eric Wordekemper, too, to make it happen.
  
  /TSJC’d
- Scooter
  
  Curtis Granderson is A STARTING OUTFIELDER
  
  Jason Hirsh? I nevah heard of Jason Hirsh!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q-psVKy9v4
  
  Seriously, it’s all about the price for Granderson. I know Butch Wynegar and Dave Miley are high on AJax. Realistically, you’re probably gonna have to give up AJax (and a Nova or ZMac) to get Granderson. Do you go that route? Or do you sign Cameron for a year, and wait?
  - Teix is the Man
    
    I wouldn’t make this deal, Granderson appears to be on the decline.
    - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
      
      So did Swisher, though.
      
      /Devil’s Advocate’d
      - Zack
        
        Also much different asking prices though.
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        For sure. The only way I’d like Granderson to be traded for is if his price was “Swisher-deal low.”
        
        Zack
        
        Absolutely. Contract isnt the issue, they can eat a bad contract. But not giving up good talent in hope that a player will turn it around (while still sucking against LHP).
      - ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        Dave Dombrowski is smarter then Ken Williams, though.
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        That.
  - Teix is the Man
    
    He didn’t even apologize LMFAO! What a prick.
  - JMK aka The Overshare
    
    WHO THA FUCK IS JASON HURSHH??!!
http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD

Only for a super low price. And that’s not gonna happen.
- Tom Zig
  
  But then again, what would you consider to be a super low price?
  - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
    
    Something that doesn’t include McAllister or Jackson.
    - ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
      
      That will probably not get you Granderson, then. Which would be okay cause he is a player with some flaws, but so are Jackson and Zach Mac.
      - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        Yeah, I’m not aiming for Granderson, though. I’d rather just sign Cameron as a stop-gap. He’d be much easier to cut loose if he flamed out than Granderson.
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        Sounds good. I’m torn on Granderson myself. I see the flaws but I’d like to buy low and see go back to 2006/2007 production.
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        Yeah, if Granderson were a free-agent, I’d be more on board with bringing him in. However, having to trade for him makes him less desirable.
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        As a free agent, you’d probably not get him for 3 years, 24M. Plus you’d lose your first-rounder. That’s not a big deifference IMO.
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        Hm, true.
        
        Ghost of Scott Brosius
        
        Granderson’s power and the fact that he can play center field about as well as anyone on the team now makes him a very valuable commodity. There just aren’t many center fielders with that kind of offensive potential still around. I’m hesitant to include Jackson, but I think you have to consider it with you can do it with maybe an IPK/Z-Mac Mel/Bruney and gardner. With the yankees resources an expectations, I doubt our rotation will have room for more than one back-end/middle quality starter. We’ve stockpiled these guys to some degree, and insurance is nice but i’d rather put them to good use
    - JMK aka The Overshare
      
      How about Cano for Granderson?
      - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        Omg totez!
      - Doug
        
        imo, we’d be left with a bigger whole at 2B than we do in CF. no thanks
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        Sarcasm detection FAIL.
        
        http://www.facebook.com/dougchu Doug
        
        Yeah, get on the ball, friend.
        
        JMK aka The Overshare
        
        You’re a better Doug.
      - Zack
        
        Well how does Granderson rate on the hustle/focus/love of the game meter?
        
        JMK aka The Overshare
        
        He’s not Dominican, so pretty high.
        
        ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        He is neither white nor small nor a former punter, so he could be much higher.
        
        pete
        
        yes, but his off-the-field efforts (historically one of the best indicators of on-the-field, game-winning ability/success) have been excellent
Alex S

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwV6aq9SJa4
Hey ZZ

I think the Yankees will be interested in Granderson but I think someone will be desperate enough to give up a couple really good prospects for him. I put my money on the Cubs overpaying for Granderson.
MikeD

Not a big fan of this potential move since Granderson seemingly has lost the ability to hit lefties. He did better a few years ago, but his BABIP that season suggests he was a bit lucky.

One of the advantages the Yankees have had over the years with their key lefty hitters, be they named Damon, Matusi or Tino, is they handle lefty pitchers well, turning a potential negative hitting scenario into a positive. When Matsui strides to the plate and the opposing manager takes out a righty pitcher to go to what in many cases is a weaker lefty option just to face Matsui actually strengthens the Yankees chances of scoring. Granderson, however, has turned into such an automatic out against left-handed pitchers that he could be exposed in key situations and big games, similar to what the Yankees did with Ryan Howard.

Teams have always thrown lefties against the Yankees, so either a lefty hitter for the Yankees has to handle lefties, or he has to accept being a platoon player. I don’t see Granderson giving up his full-time status. Pass.
Doug

well, since nobody seems willing to give up ajax + z-mac and assuming most would have ajax > melky, how about melky + z-mac for granderson?
- ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
  
  Melky will cost too much money and is under teams control for only 2(?) more years. He is less attractive to the Tigers.
  - Doug
    
    don’t disagree. just trying to get a feel for what RABers ARE willing to give up for him
    - http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
      
      I think they want us to sign Betemit then flip him and Jason Hirsh to land Grandy.
      - Doug
        
        appears that way
      - ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
        
        Sadly, the Royals were faster and signed him.
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        Ugh. Fuckin Cashman…
        
        http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
        
        Yup. He’s never willing to make those small moves that really push a club over the edge. All he wants to do is spend, spend, spend, on over-priced primadonnas.
    - pete
      
      less than it would probably take. I would trade AJax for Granderson straight up in a heartbeat, but the tigers would never go for that. I wouldn’t want to add any other player of significance simply because you’d be trading 2 complimentary-type players for 1. Curtis granderson is not a star, and with his lefty splits and 29 years of age, he’s not going to be one. He’d be out #9 hitter. An awesome #9 hitter, sure, but is a better #9 hitter worth trading a cheaper #9 hitter and a possible #5 starter or quality reliever? I don’t think so.
      In my opinion, if you’re going to trade prospects, it should be for something of more significance than granderson. You’re not looking at the 2009 yankees (I hope) and saying “man, if we improve that #9 spot, we’ll repeat.” You say “we’re a little shaky at the end of the rotation, so let’s try our best to conserve our future resources so that we can rectify this issue in a year”
http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew

Per Granderson’s defense. It’s no shocker his UZR/150 was -9 in 08. He had Marcus Thames next to him in left, and Maggs in right. Those are two bad defenders. Couple that with the biggest outfield ever and your centerfielder is in trouble. In 09 he had a slightly less mobile Maggs in right and again a ginormous outfield.

I’d assume his Defense in YSIII would not be an issue.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ The Artist

Thanks for the link, Mike. Much appreciated!
http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew

How do we think teams around the league value Kevin Russo? Is he in any way a trade chip?
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  From my understanding, and Mike’s input, he’s basically Ramiro Pena with less of a glove but more of a bat.
  - Doug
    
    so, in other words, he has no trade value
  - ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops
    
    So, he basically is…wait for it…
    
    Wilson Betemit.
    
    Let’s trade him for Granderson!!!
    - Salty Buggah
      
      His OBP skills kill Betemit’s but Betemit had slightly more power.
      - pete
        
        yeah but a lack of power + mlb = much reduced obp. in my opinion russo is most likely a polanco-esque .285/.310/.375 guy, with non-polanco-esque defense
JMK aka The Overshare

I’d give up Gardner (we’ve been over this but I HATE Gardner), Betances, Melancon and maybe someone like Bleich. If they’re looking for a position player instead of a Bleich or Dellin, how about CoJo, Higgy, Russo, Suttle or maybe a DeLeon?

Thoughts?
- http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
  
  Eh, they have their own Gardner in Wilkin Ramirez and Don Kelly.
  - JMK aka The Overshare
    
    Hmmm. Wilkin plays LF, or at least he has in the minors and in his short appearance on the Tigers this year. Kelly is a Hairston Jr.-type player with less of a bat.
    
    Alright, we’ll try again. I’m not a huge Granderson fan. Those splits really worry me, though I think he can still play good D when healthy, steal 25-30 bags and his around 25-30 homers. But dude, those lefty numbers are BAD. Anyway, we’ll strike the first deal.
    
    DeLeon, Dellin, Melancon and Z-Mac for C-Grand. Highest I’d go. I wouldn’t include Jackson, Romine, Montero, Viz, slade or Man-Ban. Anyone else is fair game, though I would be really shocked if Detroit would take that package.
http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew

How about a bit of a blockbuster?

Grandy and Miggy both? Frees up 130 Million worth of obligations for the Tigers and gives us a DH for a longgggg time.
I know I’m dreaming but is it really out of the realm of possibility?
- http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
  
  **$150 Mil.
- pete
  
  …building your team around a “DH for a longgggg time” is not a good strategy for building a team, which is what you’d have to do if you made that move. Especially when you can have the combination of Matsui/Damon/Posada/A-Rod/Jeter/Montero be your DH for an equally “longggg” time without pillaging your farm system.
  What exactly is it with people here and their obsessive desire to make trades that don’t even fill genuine holes, rather than provide (often very slight) upgrades to positions that are really of little concern.
  - JMK aka The Overshare
    
    Trading for Granderson and Cabrera would hurt flexibility, I think.
  - http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
    
    Well, we wouldn’t exactly be “building around” Miggy. We’d just have a 26 year old freak for a long time.
    - http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
      
      Also, I wouldn’t want a pillaging of our farm system. They’d have to get a couple major league ready players. Say Joba/Phil, Melky/Robo, then we’d have to give up some prospects, say ZMac and Romine, maybe Ajax too.
      I’m not saying I’d make that exact deal but the Tigers would have to consider it and it wouldn’t be a fleecing of our system. They’re in economic hell and this is one way for them to find their way back in the black.
    - pete
      
      yes, but considering what it would take to get that package (Hughes, Joba, Montero, AJax), you very soon would be. Eventually your lineup would look like this:
      SS Jeter
      RF Swisher
      DH Miggy
      3B A-Rod
      1B Tex
      2B Cano
      C Romine?
      LF Ajax
      CF Melkner
      
      Basically, you’d have 3 great hitters with a most likely negative defensive contribution, 3 solid hitters with most likely negative defensive contribution, and 3 weak hitters with hopefully a positive defensive contribution. Not to mention, you’ve probably got about $240 million in payroll. It’s just wildly unnecessary and hurts the long term flexibility of the club.
      - http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        That trade package you put together could probably land 98% of players in the game.
        
        For me, Montero would be untouchable and it would only be one of Joba/Phil. Also, our CFer would be Grandy not Melky.
        
        The main reason I even thought about this is that Detroit needs salary relief.
        
        Doug
        
        yeah, but they have so much $ coming off the books next season (almost $60M), that they should be building around cabrera, not trading him away
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        Word, good point but I only see 40 Mil coming off plus an increase in arbitration. http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tEZvMIXrj8vgGMsajr8pR0g&output=html
        
        Either way, as I said in my initial post, I’m dreaming but I don’t think it’s impossible. We’d have all the leverage, they have needs and we can fill them; money and some youth.
        
        Doug
        
        from MLBTR: “However, following the 2010 season, the contracts of Ordonez, Bonderman, Robertson, Willis, and Inge will be coming off the books in Detroit, freeing up more than $57MM.”
        
        didn’t verify the #s
        
        Doug
        
        think it comes down to whether the tigers are stupid enough to play ordonez often enough to have his option automatically kick in
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        Ah true. For some reason they are assuming Maggs option won’t vest, that’s the extra 18 mil. After an atrocious start to this year he managed to get the PA’s, I don’t think next year will be much different.
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        lol Boras will bring the pain if something fishy like that goes on. Basically, if he’s playing well coming out of ST, they have to play him.
        
        Doug
        
        he needs 562 PAs for his 2011 option to be guaranteed. no way the tigers let him get that
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        I don’t know. That’s probably less than 120 games. They can’t not play him if he is performing. Boras would have the commish’s office on speed dial.
        
        Doug
        
        131 games for him 518 PAs this season. so looks like it’d take about 140. could be some PHing in there, though.
        
        i really see no chance the tigers let him get near that
        
        http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
        
        Yeah only about 8 games were pinch hitting so I guess it is closer to 140.
- Salty Buggah
  
  For the long-term its really bad but a Tex-A-Rod-Miggy 3-4-5 is just…I dont even know a word to describe it, that’s how great it is.
  - pete
    
    i’ll take a lineup that’s strong 1-9, defensively proficient, and flexible for the future over a great 3-4-5 any day of the week and twice on sundays.
    - http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/05/04/melky_cabrera_cant_believe_it_phixr.png Drew
      
      I think we all want that.
      
      Miguel Cabrera wouldn’t automatically make us lose our 6-9 and defensive capabilities.
pete

CF was fine in ’09. Unspectacular, sure, but they got the job done. If anyone other than melkner’s playing CF for the ’10 yankees, it should be Mike Cameron, since he a) doesn’t cost us anything in terms of prospects, b) plays better D than grandy, both last year and historically, and c) can most likely be had on a stopgap-esque 1 year or 1+option deal.
Granderson’s a fine player, but he’s not the kind of player that an older team coming off a world championship trades young prospects for. As of now, he wouldn’t really fill a hole as much as provide a moderate upgrade to our weakest offensive position. The yankees have no need for him, and therefore should not trade players who, like jackson, could either provide cheaper alternatives or be used in trades to fill actual needs.
Nobody minds the thought of having granderson as a no. 9 hitter and every day centerfielder, believe me, but if you’re trading away your younger players, it shouldn’t be for a no. 9 hitter, especially when the hybrid no. 9 hitter/CF you already have is a 3.5 WAR player.
Trading for granderson wouldn’t be a terrible move, but in light of the fact that you could get a player of equal or better value (cameron) without giving up any prospects, and on a shorter commitment, it would make little to no sense. The more I think about it, the fewer reasons I see to get Granderson, and the more I see to get Cameron
- Will in Nj
  
  this
Mike Z

The Yankees should keep the prospects that it would take for Granderson. I hope the Yanks resign Damon and Matsui first. Then go sign Cameron for one year at 9/10 million.
- pete
  
  +1. A starting outfield of Damon-Cameron-Swisher, where Melky can spell damon and cameron, and damon can spell matsui at DH, would be the best overall situation for next year and the future.
  - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
    
    +1
joel

limited player. If we can’t get someone really good, we should stay pat with what we have and focus on the starting pitching. Here is my blog posting on comparing Bernie Williams to Granderson and others. The main stat is OPS+ and he is woefully short of Bernie, closer to Melky than Bernie. http://bleacherreport.com/users/105805-joel-ray
- http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
  
  Most CFs aren’t going to come close to touching Bernie. His offense out of CF was absolutely incredible.
Alex S

i wish we could sign holliday for 3 years no long commitment
- Doug
  
  keep wishing
  - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
    
    This.
- pete
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDnXkFVEQ0Y
  - http://bronxbaseballdaily.com Matt ACTY/BBD
    
    That is so my video meme. Thief!
Teix is the Man

Sign Placido Polanco to play second, and move Cano to left
-Totally kidding’d
Yo Gard

“there’s a fit for the Yanks if the price is right, which pretty much holds true for every player in the game”

I know what you’re saying, but there are players who wouldn’t be good fits for the Yankees even if their services were free. Guys like Yuniesky Betancourt, Mike Jacobs, Jose Guillen, etc.
Tommy

Granderson’s age 22 season = High A with an .823 OPS.

A-Jax should not be a part of this discussion, especially at a time where outfield is the spot that could use some depth and youth going forward at the major league level and throughout the entire organization.
Will in NJ

Personally, I do not see why the Yanks would even think about granderson. There isnt a glaring hole at CF that requires giving up any of our top prospects. Focus on the backend of the rotation and the bullpen. Unless Cash can pull of a swisher deal, I don’t see why the yanks would want granderson.
Bernie

I guess the speculation is the Yanks will keep Damon and let Matsui go. I hope it’s the other way around. Damon is a pro at the plate but he’s such a liability in lf. I know Mat has no position anymore but he hits lefties as well as anyone. Is Cerveli replacing Molina? I almost hope they keep Molina to break in Montero.