Mack Ade - Curtis Granderson

Good morning.

What am I going to do with this guy?

Curtis Granderson has pretty much owned right field for the Mets in the past three years. 546 at bats in 2014, 580 in 2015, and 545 this past season. And though his stat line for the past three years is nothing to write home about (.241/.342/.436/.778), it really wasn’t that much different for the four years he played for the Yankees (.245/.335/.495/.829). In the case of the Grandy Man, you seem to get what you pay for.

And, as for paying Granderson, the Mets sure did that, forking out $60mil for four years covering 2014-2017. Was it worth it? Well, they didn’t have anyone better to play right field these past three seasons and the ++ bonus is how much he has stepped up as the team leader (due to the frequent absence of David Wright). He also is all over the community raising funds and representing the organization in a positive way. I’m not sure how much more he can play baseball, but I’m sure he’s going to make a wonderful politician someday.

Richard Jones, of Mack’s Mets, said about Grandy –

 I have no doubt that Curtis Granderson is a super nice guy. By all accounts he is a great club house guy and a leader to his team. In my book that might get you a spot on the 25 man roster but it is not enough to get you a starting position in centerfield for a team that is in a win now mode.

His contract should also not get him a starting role. If someone who is making less money would put more games in the win column, then it amounts to paying someone to lose for you. I would rather pay that same person to ride the bench and give you depth should you need it.

Last year Granderson broke a record I'm sure he is not proud of. His 59 RBI was the fewest by any player hitting 30 homeruns or more. He hit just .152 with runners in scoring position. With two out and runners in scoring position he hit just .061. He hit just .222 when the Mets were trailing. Basically Granderson was missing in action when he was needed most. When it meant something.

If he were playing for a non-contender, with limited outfield options then fine. However he is potentially blocking the path and progress of a player who may just be the future hope of the Mets in Michael Conforto or a gold glove centerfielder in Juan Lagares. Granderson is a defensive liability and his absence of production when it manners should have the Mets looking elsewhere for their centerfielder.

Opinion – Mets fans keep debating which salary should be dumped in 2017, Granderson or Jay Bruce. Frankly, you can’t dump a salary unless you find another team to dump it on.

No, on my 2017 team, Granderson becomes the fourth outfield and backs up Juan Lagares in center. Trust me, he’ll get his at bats. Lagares has a history of getting injured and Bruce and/or Cespedes are sort of due. He’s the closest thing we have to a leadoff hitter and, let’s face it, when he gets hot he really gets hot.