New York Yankees Should Look to Trade Curtis Granderson This Offseason
August 30, 2012 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
While the New York Yankees are still focused on making it to the postseason in 2012, it may be time to also start evaluating some of their key pieces heading into the 2013 season.
We all know of right fielder Nick Swisher’s impending free agency, and we are also all aware of the options that the Yankees hold on second baseman Robinson Cano and center fielder Curtis Granderson.
It was common thought around the league that the Yankees would allow Swisher, a fan favorite, to walk at the end of this season. His recent hot stretch has left some looking into more creative ways to keep Swisher in the Bronx.
You see, the problem is that the Yankees front office would like to lower the team’s payroll to under $189 million by 2014. With extensions due for both Cano and Granderson, re-signing Swisher to a market-value deal is very difficult.
On the year, Swisher sports a line of .274/.360/.489 with 20 home runs and 76 RBI. He has also played a respectable right field, tallying four outfield assists.
With the type of season he is having, Swisher could likely be worth $50 million or so over four years. That’s just not something the Yankees can manage if they really want to lower payroll.
The solution? Well, it may be as simple as trading Granderson. Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News at least things so.
Granderson has been the best home run hitter in the major leagues over the past two-and-a-half seasons, and currently leads the Yankees with 33 homers in 2012. He is also second on the team in both runs (82) and RBI (78).
That being said, Granderson is hitting a putrid .235 this season. He has only stolen eight bases and has struck out a ridiculous 157 times.
Sure, the home run production is nice; however, in a lineup that already has several power-hitters with lower batting averages, Granderson’s skill set is not needed.
The notorious problems the team has with runners in scoring position can largely be attributed to the fact that they rely on the long ball, so replacing Granderson in the lineup with a more complete hitter or table-setter would be conducive to a more potent offense.
Granderson is at a point in his career where he can still give the Yankees something of value in return. The Yankees could realistically receive a few top prospects and a major league ready arm in return for his services.
Such a move would free up the cap space necessary to re-sign Swisher while also allowing the Yankees to use the money they would save from not extending Granderson on other areas of need.
With Swisher back in the fold, the Yankees could potentially slide Brett Gardner over to center field while looking into other cost-effective options in left.
They could possibly bring back Ichiro Suzuki on a one-year deal, or consider low-risk, high-reward free agents like Grady Sizemore or Delmon Young.
The Yankees have plenty to think about this offseason in terms of player contracts, but unloading Granderson should not be something they overlook.
While he has been a prolific home run threat, addressing the team’s problem with RISP should be a top priority.
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