12/23/24
December 08, 2009
Goodbye, Johnny Damon: Yankees acquire Granderson for Coke, Jackson and others: Three-way trade with Detroit and AZ. The medicals are being reviewed and it's just a matter of signing contracts. Granderson will bat second against right-handers. Swisher against lefties.
I asked this same question in the huddle, but I will ask it here too.
How does this deal help the D-Backs? They are giving up a guy billed as a future ace for a guy who bombed with 2 teams and has only 1 1/2 decent seasons to his resume and a guy who was able to win 1 game in 3 seasons with the Yankees?
posted by Demophon at 02:21 PM on December 08, 2009
I haven't seen a single article yet confirming it's a done deal. Got one, JButton?
I am puzzled as to what Arizona is thinking. If they're looking to win now, upgrading Scherzer for Jackson isn't exactly the last piece to a puzzle. Scherzer's cheaper, talented and Jackson's a free agent after next season. They mortgage a piece of their future for a mid-rotation starter, potentially for a season?
posted by dfleming at 02:24 PM on December 08, 2009
Never mind: I've got one.
Honestly, if I'm the Toronto Blue Jays, I think I'm panicking a bit. Jackson was arguably the best prospect in the Yankees system outside of the majors and he's now gone. Considering Halladay's now limited teams he'll accept trades with to teams whose spring training facilities are in Florida (near his home), you've now got the farm-depleted Yankees and the Red Sox. I'd say from a negotiation stand point, a big piece of the puzzle is headed elsewhere.
Great trade for both the Yankees and Tigers, who get what they need. I still don't understand the Diamondbacks' role in this, giving up a k/inning starter with a 4ish ERA in his second season.
posted by dfleming at 03:12 PM on December 08, 2009
Goodbye, Johnny Damon
I'm not so sure. Versus right-handers the Yanks could put Damon in left, Granderson in center and Melky in right. Against left-handers, Damon in left, Melky in center and Swisher in right. Swisher was meant to split time with Nady before Nady got injured, so making him a PT player is not a stretch.
Matsui & Brett Gardner go bye-bye. Granderson is only 2 years older than Gardner so you're not getting much older. If Granderson can perform better than .183 versus left-handers, then DH Damon and put Granderson in left.
posted by MrNix67 at 04:40 PM on December 08, 2009
The Yankees are not going to allow Granderson to play center field. He's a HORRIBLE center fielder.
They got him to play left field. Hence the "goodbye Damon". He's going to bat second and they will teach him how to look at more pitches.
I haven't seen a single article yet confirming it's a done deal.
My original post confirmed it. That's all you need to know.
posted by JButton at 05:30 PM on December 08, 2009
The Yankees are not going to allow Granderson to play center field. He's a HORRIBLE center fielder.
The scary thing is you don't seem to be a troll, which means you really are this clueless.
My original post confirmed it. That's all you need to know.
Yeah. Good luck with that.
Granderson's defensive numbers: care to point out where the "HORRIBLE" part comes in?
"Chronically underrated, Granderson is a true star, offering power, speed, patience, and premium defensive value in one package. He's one of the best all around players in the game, in his prime, and under contract for $24 million through 2012 with a club option for 2013 that will probably be picked up. If he hit for a higher batting average, he'd get more notice, but he doesn't need to in order to be a star. He's already one."
Apologies for not just taking your word for everything, but I trust actual analysis over hot air.
posted by yerfatma at 05:40 PM on December 08, 2009
Damon or Matsui will stay with NYY as the DH; whichever one signs first for short money stays. The other will be on the market. Granderson will play center with Cabrera/Gardner moving to left.
I am getting some strange vibes about this. Last year, with the Red Sox and Yankees pushing each other in the Teixeira sweepstakes, the Yankees signed Nick Swisher. A lot of people jumped to the conclusion that the Yankees were now out of the Teixeira thing and the Sox were a shoe-in. We all know how that went. Now, with Bay and Holliday on the free agent market as left fielders, the Yankees have seemingly taken themselves out of the market. If I were Theo Epstein, I'd get Jason Bay signed immediately, because if the last remaining decent LF bat is Holliday, Scott Boras is already running the adding machine.
posted by Howard_T at 06:04 PM on December 08, 2009
Based on Baseball Reference, all of Granderson's defensive numbers (pctage, range, putouts + assists/9innings) are above average.
posted by dfleming at 06:18 PM on December 08, 2009
The Yankees are not going to allow Granderson to play center field. He's a HORRIBLE center fielder.
Do you watch baseball?
My original post confirmed it. That's all you need to know.
That is ironic considering the subtitle of your linked article is Yankees, Diamondbacks, Tigers close to blockbuster trade
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:25 PM on December 08, 2009
My original post confirmed it. That's all you need to know.
You've been here less than two months and your word is all we need? Give me a break.
posted by rcade at 06:44 PM on December 08, 2009
Howard, I'd much rather they sink or swim with Holliday than overpay for an aging Bay.
posted by yerfatma at 08:56 PM on December 08, 2009
Does this mean the Yanks aren't going to buy the free agent fielders this year?
Sabathia, Halladay, Lackey, Burnett .... heck Oprah could fill out that starting 5 and they'd still win 105 games next year.
posted by cixelsyd at 09:01 PM on December 08, 2009
Don't even bring up poor fielding outfielders when the Yankees have played the past several seasons with Damon. Love the guys bat, but he's always an adventure just catching the ball. I won't even discuss his throwing arm.
Granderson is a really good talent. I think he's a above-average fielder, and his base stealing is always a bonus. He should be able to take advantage of the Yankee Stadium dimensions, and I doubt his possible struggles against left-handers will be too hard to overcome in the Yankee lineup.
posted by dyams at 09:47 PM on December 08, 2009
I was all set to give JButton what-for on his opinion of Grandy's defense, but my SpoFi brethren have my back...
posted by MeatSaber at 09:58 PM on December 08, 2009
Yup, Granderson a huge upgrade defensively to that outfield. And the Yanks now have a guy who can steal ....
posted by cixelsyd at 10:06 PM on December 08, 2009
It's a great deal for the champs, and I think they can still use Damon. God knows Damon is shit outside of Yankee Stadium, so Damon needs the Yankees too.
Granderson will be a star in NY. They'll love him.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:26 PM on December 08, 2009
You've been here less than two months and your word is all we need?
That's correct.
I was all set to give JButton what-for on his opinion of Grandy's defense
He drops routine fly balls. DROPS them. He's a terrible center fielder. The Yankees know better than anyone that this is unacceptable for center field.
You know-it-alls must not watch Tigers games.
That is ironic considering the subtitle of your linked article is Yankees, Diamondbacks, Tigers close to blockbuster trade
That's because there WAS no link and you have to post something for the post to go though, genius. Did you not read "desregard the article's tone"?
There was no link confirming the actual deal to post at that time-- because I knew of it happening before it had reached the wires.
I trust actual analysis over hot air.
and premium defensive value in one package.
Yeah that blog written by a nobody is so much more trustworthy. Please.
posted by JButton at 02:02 PM on December 09, 2009
Go troll elsewhere. Cameron's writing has gotten him into Baseball Prospectus (along with a zillion other places); yours hasn't gotten us anywhere.
posted by yerfatma at 02:16 PM on December 09, 2009
That's correct.
Stop trolling. The way you're acting here is a good way to get banned.
posted by rcade at 02:18 PM on December 09, 2009
That's because there WAS no link and you have to post something for the post to go though, genius.
You could've waited the half an hour for a concrete link to come along or you could've joined the rumor discussion in the Huddle. We already knew about the rumor; whatever "trust me, I'm an insider" information you have isn't concrete enough to confirm a rumor to anyone but yourself.
You've made a habit of simply dropping your opinion into a discussion without anything to back it up (the NFL revenue sharing thread, for example). It's close to trolling considering the community norm suggests doing otherwise. If you're someone within the baseball community with connections, that's wonderful, but unless you out yourself or provide us with something to confirm your opinions, you're probably going to find a lot of resistance around here.
posted by dfleming at 02:21 PM on December 09, 2009
My original post confirmed it. That's all you need to know. I knew of it happening before it had reached the wires.
I think J. Button might be an insider, he writes like J. P. Ricciardi talks. Uses words like trust, and that's all you need to know.
Yup, J.B. is J.P.
posted by tommybiden at 02:55 PM on December 09, 2009
He drops routine fly balls. DROPS them. He's a terrible center fielder. The Yankees know better than anyone that this is unacceptable for center field.
You know-it-alls must not watch Tigers games.
Nope. I've never watched a Tigers game in my life.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:25 PM on December 09, 2009
What did Granderson have last year, 3 errors? Must have dropped three routine fly balls. DROPPED them.
posted by dyams at 05:46 PM on December 09, 2009
Yup, Granderson a huge upgrade defensively to that outfield. And the Yanks now have a guy who can steal ....
Um, what?
Derek Jeter (30 out of 35) and Brett Gardner (26 out of 31) both had more stolen bases and a better percentage than Granderson (20 out of 26).
The Yankees now have a guy they are going to need to platoon, as Granderson has become worse-than-Mendoza (.183/.245/.239) against LHP.
Honestly, if I'm the Toronto Blue Jays, I think I'm panicking a bit. Jackson was arguably the best prospect in the Yankees system outside of the majors and he's now gone.
Nah. The top NYY prospect is Jesus Montero. The Yankees REALLY don't want to deal him. They are more likely to give away Chamberlain or even Hughes than Montero. Check out his numbers.
.317/.370/.539!
In AA ball!
As a catcher!
At age 19!
If the Jays can pry him away from the Yankees...
posted by grum@work at 05:08 PM on December 10, 2009
Disregard the article's tone. It has not been updated. It's a done deal.
Ian Kennedy goes to AZ in the deal, as well.