I’ve Always Loved Granderson And I’ll Love Him More in Pinstripes
How do I feel about today’s trade? I think the Yankees will survive without Phil Coke. Ian Kennedy? I bet he thrives in the National League. The one that really hurts is Ajax; allowing a top prospect to leave the franchise is always a bitter pill to swallow.
On the other hand, look at the guy we’re getting. Curtis Granderson is not small potatoes!
He’s an excellent defender and will bang the ball into the short porch in right (formerly called Damon’s Deck, soon-to-be known as Granderson’s Garage, Granderson’s Garden, Granderson’s Gazebo, take your pick).
You don’t believe he can play center field? Watch this.
And here’s a little dinger he hit against the Phillies into their short porch.
And the Yankees are getting a guy who’s not only comfortable with the media but who grew up eating breakfast with his parents. Isn’t that sweet? (Try to block out the annoying woman. If I were Granderson I would have put duct tape over her mouth.)
He even takes time out to show his healthy bod in national magazines.
And another thing….In 2007 he was an ESPN analyst during the Yankees-Indians ALDS series. Having played in Detroit, he knew all about midges and would have told Gene Monahan to stop using that bug spray on everybody. Grrrr.
Oh, and he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable work. His Grand Kids Foundation promotes education in inner cities.
Did you happen to catch the number on the back of his uniform? That’s right. It’s 28.
(Hat tip to the LoHud blog for the pic.) I wonder if he’ll keep it or let Girardi wear it. Either way, it’s a good omen.
Confessions of a She-Fan 
I agree that it was/is tough to lose Ajax, but I am excited about Granderson in center. I just hope that the Yanks don’t decide to move Cabrera over to left and let Damon walk. Granderson seems like a very quality guy, and someone who will be great in the clubhouse. It is a very good move by Brian Cashman. Of course, I am hopeful of getting some strong replacement parts in the bullpen over the losses of the past few days. I don’t want to see any return of the likes of Jose Veras in spring training! If the Yankees could secure Roy Halladay, they’d have to be the overwhelming favorite to repeat as World Champions!
Scott
http://fotr.mlblogs.com
Am I the only Yankee fan who doesn’t want the Yanks to pursue Roy Halladay?
–Ryan
Jane
hope you and Cash know what you are talking about. I was a little Suprised they let AJax go. I thought they might in a trade for Doc. Didn’t see this coming.
Will he be in CF? It’d get crowded with Melky and Brett the Jet….or will he be in LF? And what does that do for our boy Johnny? Please talk to Cashman and sign him back up!!
Is it October again? Why am I suddenly all baseball stressed out?
Wendy
that was fun. thanks for putting together a wild mix of videos. we will enjoy his defense. i am tired of poor outfielders. i am fine with damon going. with the snow streaming down it’s nice to have the image of granderson making a great catch in the bronx in the spring. barbara
I’m with Ryan. I think the price for a “one year rental” of Doc is too high, in both money and talent.
Not jazzed about it. Let him stay in Canada this year. Go for him (maybe) next year when it won’t cost all of Scranton and Trenton + X number of millions.
But, my crystal ball is on the blink, so we will have to wait and see……
Wendy
I feel the same way as Ryan and Wendy about Halladay but for me I think I’m just tired of hearing all the Yankee haters complain about our excessive shopping. Hello!! Just because our owners don’t pocket every penny isn’t a reason to hate. 27 World Series — okay, that’s a good reason to hate. Hehehe!! I feel good about Granderson. Melky will go to left – so now its clear that Matsui and Damon won’t both be re-signing.
Don’t sweat letting AJax go. If you look at his numbers, they are very similar Gardners. Ajax isn’t a power hitter. He’s a gap hitter that runs like the wind. Coincidently, so is Gardner. I also think they put the FUTURE tag on AJax as a marketing ploy so he’d bring a better price. I guess its hard for me to be too disappointed losing someone that I never saw play in the bigs. For all we know, he could be a bust in the bigs. At least that is what I’m telling myself.
If Grandy is going to play center, then I hope they move Melky to right and Swish in left. Melkys arm is better suited for right field.
As for Halladay, I can take it or leave it. Once pettitte signs, we’ll have 3 solid starters. Pick up a 2nd teir pitcher and give Gaudin or Hughs the 5 spot.
Main concern for Grandy is he needs to figure out how to hit lefties.
Either way, its going to be fun watching him this year.
~Mike
http://evilempire.mlblogs.com
I’m excited about Granderson. It will be nice to have another good outfielder.I think he’ll add some pop and flair. My friend’s son got to know him when he was working for a magazine in Detroit and Curtis is a great guy. I think he’ll fit in well with this team and add to the great stuff during Hope Week.
I’m just sorry for the Detroit fans for losing another good player.
Here’s an article about him
http://www.freep.com/article/200912090300/SPORTS02/912090369
Melissa
It’s a good move, though it would have been nice to see what Ajax brought to the table. Totally agree – Granderson is going to love that RF porch. I hope Kevin Long will be able to do some magic and help him figure out how to hit lefties. As for the rest – this puts us in a better bargaining place with Damon for a 1 year contract. Lots of talent and speed in the OF now. Can’t wait to see what the next few days bring. No rumors this morning, but you never know.
Jane
Hard to believe, but the Yanks just got better. Wow. Grandy is a favorite of mine too. He’s from Blue Island, here in Chicago, around 149th and Western. I know that area well and Granderson’s people are still there in full. It’s pretty cool to see so much Granderson support here in my town, and I’m sure it will follow him to the Bronx. I’m just glad my team doesn’t play in the AL East.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Hi Jane,
Great post! I could sense you working hard on this. I have always loved him too and he will be a great fit for the team. He has a great smile and a great heart, and Kevin Long will get him straightened out. I still want Damon and Matsui back.
I’m also excited about Peter Gammons going to MLB Network. I love all baseball all the time and this is a boost to it’s credibility and drawing power.
Laurie
Dearest Madame of Le Stove Hot —
Your title of the blog couldn’t say it any better. I was JACKED when I heard the news…Grandy has been one of those guys I’ve always admired…it seemed that every time I turned on a Tigers game, he was (or was about to) make something happen…and that includes, of course, as an opponent who could and did beat us. Plus he’s a Sold Citizen who’s good to his mama and could sell popcorn to the Bleacher Creatures…you knowhutImean. Talked to Jersey Bob today, and even Mr. Negative Yankeefan was jacked up. He thinx that Ajax will be another Charlie Spikes, and it’s RARE for J.B. to okay the loss of yet another young prospect. As for the uni number? I coulda sworn that Grandy wore #27, and was all set to prattle on about that symbolism…but this is even BETTER…kinda like when we got Chambliss & Nettles in their prime…but we’re ALREADY good! Worry ’bout pitching tomorrow…enjoy today!!
And unless Austin Jackson turns out to be good, they got Granderson for nothing.
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://princeofny.blogspot.com/
I think it’s very possible that Melky will move to left and Damon will walk, Scott. If Boras is determined to get (and is able to get) a multi-year deal for Johnny, then he’s gone. But it sounds like the Yankees would bring him back for a year or two. I’d love to see that happen. I don’t see Cash getting replacement parts for the bullpen. He keeps talking about staying within the organization. But I’ve learned not to believe a word he says!
Ryan, I can’t speak for everyone but I’m a Halladay advocate – IF we don’t have to give away the rest of the team! In a perfect world, I’d rather sign him next year when he’s a free agent, but he’ll be traded somewhere this off-season and I sure hope it’s not within our division.
Wendy, don’t stress. Grandy really is a quality player. Cashman did a good thing. Yes, it would have been fun to see Ajax mature, but he didn’t have power and was still a question mark. Granderson is in his prime and will be for the duration of his contract. As I wrote above, I’d love to keep Damon, but we’ll see what your crystal ball says.
Exactly, Barbara. We now have somebody in the outfield who is a bona fide All Star – something the Yankees have been lacking since Bernie “retired.” I’m psyched about the trade, all things considered. Stay warm in that storm. We had it here on Monday and it was fierce.
Never let the haters get to you, Diane. Besides, the Yankees aren’t “shopping” at the moment. They’re trading personnel for better personnel. Hopefully, we’ll look back on it as a smart move. Re: Halladay….If the Jays are looking for Joba and Hughes, forget it. Also with Andy signed now, maybe all we’ll need is a good #4.
I agree, Mike. With Andy signed, we should get a Sheets or Harden and see what Hughes can do in the #5 spot. I’m still wondering if we’ll see Wang again in pinstripes. How huge would that be if he returned to form.
Thanks for that article, Melissa. You always have access to good stuff! I think Granderson will be a really nice addition in the clubhouse as well as on the field. He sounds like such a quality guy.
The only “rumor” is the done deal on Pettitte, ladyjane. Supposedly for $11.75 million? Glad he’s back in the fold. But the day is still young, and who knows what else is in store? I love surprises (well, when they’re good surprises).
If YOU like Grandy, he must be a good guy, Jeff. Seriously, I’ve read such nice things about how he gives back to the community and is so education oriented. What’s not to like? Now if he could just learn to hit lefties, I’d be thrilled.
Yes, I worked hard searching YouTube for videos that weren’t 9 minutes long, Laurie. LOL. That’s the tough part. I don’t want to bore everybody with the long ones. Anyhow, Grandy does have a great smile and he seems enormously likable. If Kevin Long can fiddle with his swing and find a way to help him hit lefties, it’s all good. I’m not a Gammons fan, so his news didn’t mean a whole lot to me. On the other hand, I’m very sorry that Jack Curry, who has covered the Yankees and baseball in general for the NY Times so ably, is taking a buyout and leaving the paper. Now that’s a loss.
I’ve admired Granderson from afar too, Dave. And if you remember in the She-Fan book, when I met Jon Miller of ESPN at Newark Airport during the ALDS, he was the one who talked about Grandy and the midges and said how media savvy he was. More importantly, he can catch and throw the ball as well as hit for power. It works for me!
I think Jackson will turn out to be good, Paul. What’ll hurt is if he turns out to be REALLY good – like superstar good. I can live with just good.
Monahan did not get a She-Fan Honorable Mention for the bug spray? Perhaps if it had been this year, he could have won something.
You’re not a huge Gammons fan? Huh, go figure. 😉
Greg, I should have had an award for Best Trainer but I forgot. One thing I do know: Gene Monahan wouldn’t have won. He should have known that bug spray doesn’t work on midges!
Jane,
I’m not a big fan of Peter Gammons either but I like that fact that the MLB network is attracting high profile people. Maybe Jack Curry will also move to radio or TV. He has his weekly podcasts this past year with another Jane, I believe. He, like Buster Olney and Selena Roberts saw the writing (no pun intended) on the wall.
Laurie
Hi – first time replying, but I just had to – so good to read a thoughtful, intelligently written blog!
My take from this point is that now that Pettitte is back in the fold, they go for Lackey. No reinforcements req’d for pen, IMHO, as I believe that the Yankees’ unpublicized preference is (and recent moves seem to indicate) that they’d like to have BOTH Hughes and Joba in pen. Rotation would thus be CC, Burnett, Lackey, Pettitte, and Gaudin as No 5. Signing Lackey also leaves the Red Sox in the position of HAVING to give up a busload of good youngsters for Halladay just to keep up; and whether they do or not, our bets are hedged with a better rotation anyway. It would be a brilliant insurance policy, and also prevents the Sox from acquiring both, which would truly be a worst-case for the Yankees.
After that, sign Damon to a one yr deal; there is actually no guarantee that Matsui even WANTS to return – he does believe that he should/could be an everyday OF, which clearly is not in the cards with this team. I see Matsui signing sometime in January with Seattle or going back to Japan. Sad to see him go – what a true pro – but I think this is what will happen…
Keep up the good work Jane – great stuff, and I’m gonna go out and grab a copy of your book…I’ve had a 30 yr love affair with this team myself! John
Hi – first time replying, but I just had to – so good to read a thoughtful, intelligently written blog!
My take from this point is that now that Pettitte is back in the fold, they go for Lackey. No reinforcements req’d for pen, IMHO, as I believe that the Yankees’ unpublicized preference is (and recent moves seem to indicate) that they’d like to have BOTH Hughes and Joba in pen. Rotation would thus be CC, Burnett, Lackey, Pettitte, and Gaudin as No 5. Signing Lackey also leaves the Red Sox in the position of HAVING to give up a busload of good youngsters for Halladay just to keep up; and whether they do or not, our bets are hedged with a better rotation anyway. It would be a brilliant insurance policy, and also prevents the Sox from acquiring both, which would truly be a worst-case for the Yankees.
After that, sign Damon to a one yr deal; there is actually no guarantee that Matsui even WANTS to return – he does believe that he should/could be an everyday OF, which clearly is not in the cards with this team. I see Matsui signing sometime in January with Seattle or going back to Japan. Sad to see him go – what a true pro – but I think this is what will happen…
Keep up the good work Jane – great stuff, and I’m gonna go out and grab a copy of your book…I’ve had a 30 yr love affair with this team myself! John
Wouldn’t that be great if Jack Curry followed Buster Olney and moved into TV, Laurie? I hope he takes your advice. I’ve seen him on YES a few times and he was very good. Such a tough time for newspapers, which makes me so sad.
Hi, John. Delighted you’re joining us! Your comment really resonates with me, because I just this minute finished writing tonight’s blog post with the very same sentiments (regarding pitching). I’ve been such a fan of Halladay, but when I really think about what/who we’d have to give up, I must admit that Lackey makes more sense. As for Damon, I’d love to see him come back for a year. I just don’t know if Boras will go for anything less than a multi-year deal (if he can get one). I hope you do grab a copy of the She-Fan book and, if so, that you’ll relate to my adventures in Yankeeville. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Hello Ladies,
I am just joining your blog and I love what I am reading. My daughter and I are excited about this deal, although I must admit that I get a little sad thinking this will have an effect on what the team does with JD. Guess we’ll have to see how it plays out.
Good trade for Yankees. One of best leadoff hitters in MLB and showtime robbing homers. Congratulations( Damn economic situation…)
http://tigres.mlblogs.com/ (Tigers in Spanish)
Amen to all that, Jane. Great clip of him robbing Sizemore of a walk-off homer. Grandy is a great athlete and a terrific two-way ball player. The Yankees just upgraded the OF and CF, and got a good guy to boot.
Very good trade for the Yankees.
Jason from The Heartland
http://heartlandpinstripes.wordpress.com
Welcome, thetal. Glad you’re joining the party. The more I read about Granderson, the better I like the deal. He seems like such a quality player and person. That said, I’d love to have JD back. I think Cashman would too – just not for a multi-year deal. I hope they can work something out.
I’m sure you’re sorry to lose Granderson, tigres. I would be too. But the Tigers will have Austin Jackson, our prize prospect, and I bet he’ll flourish at the major league level. Yankee fans will be saying, “Why didn’t we keep Ajax?”
Love that clip of Granderson robbing Sizemore of the HR, Jason. Clearly, he’s athletic! And yes, he seems like such a good guy who gives back to the community, believes in education, is well liked by his teammates, etc. Yes, indeed. A good addition for us.
You forgot to mention that he blogs. Or that he used to blog at least, over at ESPN.com. I am not sure if he did this past season or not, but I enjoyed reading him. I like Granderson. Aside from his low OBP, high SO total, an arm equal to Johnny Damon, and his inability to hit LHP; he will still put up big numbers in that band box called a stadium in NY. 😉 I could see him hitting 35 HRs easily.
Greg
Red Sox Ramblings: http://thevendahhh.mlblogs.com
I didn’t know he blogs or blogged, Greg. I hope he keeps it up as a Yankee. I think you’re undervaluing his arm by comparing it to Damon’s. He’s a definite upgrade in the outfield. And I have a feeling he’ll do better against lefties. I sure hope so.
Wish we didn’t let AJax depart but we also gained a proven all-star CF with a lot more power. Think it is sweet that he wears 28. Guess next off season we will have to sign someone who wears 29!!!
http://denveryanksfan.mlblogs.com
I love that he wears 28 too, denyankfan. I wonder if Girardi will let him keep it, since he’s said he wants to change his number. Either way, I agree that we’re getting a proven All Star, which makes losing Ajax a little easier.