The New York Yankees have a lot of questions to answer and holes to fill in entering the 2014 season. Curtis Granderson is one of these questions. Will they Yankees let him walk or will they offer the outfielder a deal? He is a slugger and the Yankees could use some power. Here is why the Yankees should offer the outfielder a deal and avoid simply letting Granderson walk to a different team.
He was vital to the Yankees during their 2011-2012 seasons and losing his bat means losing another power bat in that lineup. Right, the Yankees depend too much on the home run, but look how poor their offense was until Alfonso Soriano showed up and supplied power. Soriano quenched the Yankees' thirst for a slugger and Granderson could provide that if healthy.
In 2013, the Bronx Bombers finished with the ninth worst home run total in baseball. They only managed to hit 144 long balls, which is a very disappointing stat, especially for the Yankees who have always relied on huge innings to complete comebacks. Robinson Cano led the team with 27 home runs as well as 107 RBI. Granderson is consistent when healthy, therefore, worth spending some money on.
How much and for how long? Let's break that down.
Contract & Years
Not many probably trust that the Grandy Man can provide the same offense he did in prior years with the Yankees. From 2010-2012, Granderson led the Yankees in home runs twice. In 2011, he smacked 41 home runs, followed by 43 in 2012. Coincidentally, he also led the team in RBI that season. The one downside is that Granderson forgot how to hit for average, but it's not like they want him to leadoff.
With two arm injuries in 2013, Granderson barely spent time on the field. So, the Yankees, who are now protecting themselves against any long term contracts, should off an incentive laden back-loaded contract for 3-4 years. Granderson's power will go away before his speed and the Yankees need power.
For Yankee fans who want to let Granderson walk, think again.
Mark Teixeira is returning, Soriano was happy playing in New York and it is not guaranteed that Cano will return. Who knows if somebody manages to sweep him off his feet with a deal. It would be stupid to allow a valuable bat to walk. Jacoby Ellsbury? Yeah right! He is already 30 and speed kills as long as the legs are young and healthy. Once Ellsbury speed dies out, he is not guaranteed to provide power, though he has a magical 2011 season in his records.
A three-year, no more than $45 million a year deal should suffice.
