The Yankees made the biggest moves at the annual MLB winter meetings, pulling off a three-way trade with the Tigers and Diamondbacks in which the Yanks landed All-Star centerfielder Curtis Granderson. The biggest names the Yanks gave up were pitchers Phil Coke and Ian Kennedy and hot prospect Austin Jackson. In another move, the Yanks came to a one-year, $11 million dollar agreement with pitcher Andy Pettite. Your thoughts? Share them in the "comments" ...
4 comments:
Granderson is certainly an upgrade over Melky, but I think this move only upgrades the entire lineup if they also sign Damon. Granderson hit 30 home runs last year and drove in 71 runs. Great numbers for a centerfielder. However, he strikes out a lot, has a hard time hitting lefties, and only hit .249 last year. The Yanks feel he'll become a more patient hitter and take more walks once he's surrounded by their lineup of professional hitters, and I'd tend to agree. They also think he could hit even more than 30 home runs with the Yankees, since he's a lefty and will enjoy the short porch in right field. I agree with that as well, and though I love him as a guy who hits around 7th in the order, I don't know if he'd hit for a high enough average to be our No. 2 hitter. Damon is perfect for that spot, and if they can keep him, the lineup just got much better. If they don't keep him, and Granderson hits second, it's just a wash, or perhaps not even that. You need a good contact hitter in that spot. I can easily live with 30 home runs but also some strikeouts and a .250 average from our No. 7 hitter, but I want more consistency in the No. 2 hole.
As for the prospects, Coke was expendable and Kennedy has had his shot for a few years now. I have no problem with them moving him. And despite Jackson being so highly regarded, from what I've read, most feel the best he'd ever be is about as good as Granderson already is, but without the power. Thus, I'm OK with who they gave up, especially if Cash feels he didn't need them in an effort to land Doc Halladay, or that the Yanks won't be making that trade.
As for Andy, how can you not like it? He pitched well this year and won four games in the playoffs, including two big ones in the World Series. They're lucky he's always reasonable, and that at his age he only wants one year deals. He deserves the money and the respect and I'm glad he's back. - Alan
Word is Granderson is one of most well-liked players in the majors. Great personality. Should fit in well in the clubhouse.
Check out this story. Pretty cool:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/12/10/curtis.granderson/index.html?eref=sihp&eref=shareFB
Like the move ...still want Doc..is Nady back? or a free agent
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