The New York Mets have not made any big signings in free agency over the past couple years as they work out of a terrible financial situation and that all may be changing soon, as the team is in serious talks with Curtis Granderson on a potential three year deal that would bring the free agent OF to Citi Field in 2014.
According to ESPN.com, Granderson and the Mets are in serious talks after the team initially showed interested in the outfielder and that the two sides previously met on Sunday, with general manager Sandy Alderson sitting down with Granderson. The report says that a three year deal is likely with a possible fourth year option possible and the two sides continued to talk on Tuesday. Talks between the two sides have "escalated" according to the report and comes right after the Yankees made a move related to Granderson, as they signed Jacoby Ellsbury to take over in centerfield after offering Granderson a qualifying contract.
The Yankees signed Ellsbury to a huge $150 million deal and he is three years younger than Granderson, who will be 33 when the season starts. Granderson would be a huge upgrade for the Mets and while he has turned into more of a power hitter and Citi Field is not great for that, he brings solid defense and gap ability and the Mets are a team that needs more on the offensive side of things and signing Granderson would be a positive step added to the team already signing Chris Young to a free agent deal. The Mets signed Young to one-year, $7.25 million contract and adding Granderson would help reshape the outfield for the Mets.
The Mets need a left handed hitter like Granderson and he is a player that hit over 40 home runs in two straight seasons before getting hurt in 2013 and those were not "injury prone" injuries, but freak injuries after he was hit on the hand two different times, fracturing his forearm and later breaking his pinkie, limiting him to just 61 games last season. Granderson hit .229 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs last season and he would be a great hitter for the Mets to add to their lineup even with his average where it is, as they need more pop any way they can get it.
The Mets have the flexibility to use Granderson in left field or center and he is coming off hitting 41 home runs in 2011 and 43 in 2012 and he would be the first big name to sign with the team since the Bernie Madoff scandal a couple years ago. Alderson has not given out big deals while he has been with the team because he can't and now he finally has the chance to spend some money. The Mets need power in their lineup and a lefty, but they also need to show fans the perception that they haven't given up and while Granderson isn't an impact player like Robinson Cano, he will make a big impact if he signs with the Mets.