With the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Tigers reportedly completing the creative seven-player, three-way deal that brings the fleet and powerful Curtis Granderson to the Stadium’s expansive centerfield (and short right field porch) for 2010, an early look at the trade seems to have something for everyone.
For New York, Granderson may not exactly be DiMaggio, Mantle, Murcer or Williams, but his defensive prowess and 75 home runs over the past three years (not to mention 44 triples over that span – I LOVE triples!) will fit nicely in between Melky Cabrera (or whoever they get to play left field) and Nick Swisher (see Cabrera, re: right field).
Granderson is also renowned for his personality, not an unimportant quality in adjusting to playing in New York. He was beloved in Detroit for his play and his extensive charity work, and will be a big hit with fans in New York, unless of course he hits .220 and strikes out 150 times.
It’s not a slam dunk, but without giving up anyone that was in their 2010 plans (or key chips in a potential deal for Roy Halladay), they have a top-notch center fielder in his prime (he turns 29 in Spring Training), cost-contained with three years remaining on his contract. I like Austin Jackson, and he could one day be Granderson. But he could also be Ruben Rivera.
I’m high on the move for the Yankees.
Arizona gets a pair of young starters that will fit nicely near the front (Edwin Jackson) and back (Ian Kennedy) of its rotation to go with Dan Haren and Brandon Webb. Though they finished 25 games out of first place and more than 20 games out of the wild card in ‘09, adding one serviceable starter to that group could give the Diamondbacks the best rotation in the division.
Detroit gets needed current and future payroll reduction, as well as two young players from each of their trading partners. The jewels are Jackson, who the Yankees weren’t sure would be major league ready in 2010 but may get a long look in spring training for an open outfield spot, and pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth, both former first-round draft picks who will likely figure prominently in the Tigers’ plans.
For this to be more than a salary dump by Detroit, at least two of the three will have to develop into solid major leaguers.