Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The 2009 World Series champs just got a lot stronger.
Welcome to New York, Curtis Granderson.
The Yankees didn't sit back after winning the title. Instead, they shot the first bullet at the Red Sox by landing a premier center fielder.
Yes, the Yankees did give up one of their top prospects, 22-year-old outfielder Austin Jackson, and pitcher Ian Kennedy (a back-of-the-rotation arm) and lefty reliever Phil Coke (he had an up- and-down season), but with a chance to get Granderson in his prime, it was a no-brainer.
I'm not saying that Granderson is a superstar, but he's a very good player --an all-star player -- both offensively and defensively.
He can run like the wind in center, tracking balls down in the gap that many outfielders can't reach. That's exactly what the Yankees needed, better outfield defense.
He's also got some real pop in his bat. Granderson hit 30 homers with 71 RBIs and 20 steals for the Detroit Tigers last year.
Those are the good numbers, but he does need some work (.249 BA, .327 OBP, 141 Ks).
Granderson's average has dropped the last three season from .302 to .280 to .249, so that is concerning. But he's proven that even if he whiffs 141 times (he did that in 2007) he can still hit for average (he hit .302 with 185 hits in 2007).
Granderson is currently a four-tool player (he doesn't hit for average right now) and a player the Yanks coveted.
The Yankees can now move Melky Cabrera to a corner outfield spot (figuring left field and Nick Swisher in right), or they can still re-sign Johnny Damon and play him in left and at DH.
They have flexibility now with Granderson in place.
He's a guy that should fit nicely into that lineup --either in the 2-hole or lower in the order when he faces lefties (he hit just .183 vs. southpaws).
But Yankee fans should expect sensational defense in center, 30-plus HR power, especially with that short right-field porch in Yankee Stadium, 20-30 steals (or more) and a .270 batting average (hitting coach Kevin Long will improve his plate coverage and patience).
If you're scoring at home: Yankees 1, Red Sox 0
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