Sandy Alderson Meets With Curtis Granderson

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Sandy Alderson met with Curtis Granderson yesterday:

This is logical, as the GM is likely seeking as much clarity as possible before the winter meetings which begin next week. If Alderson is able to address his outfield need (after having signed Chris Young last week) before the meetings, then he could focus on landing a shortstop, starting pitcher, and backup catcher next week.

Sep 5, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Curtis Granderson (14) doubles to deep right allowing a runner to score during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Granderson would help fill several needs that the Mets have identified as priorities for this off-season. Mostly, Granderson would bring some much-needed power to lineup, having averaged 36 home runs over his last 3 full seasons. While his power numbers may be a bit infalted at Yankee Stadium, 17 of Granderson’s 43 home runs in 2012 were hit on the road. While with the Tigers (in a park much more similar to Citi Field), Granderson averaged 24 home runs per season over 4 full seasons. Granderson plays solid defense, runs well, and has been successful in 77% of his stolen base attempts during his career.

If Alderson were to sign Granderson, there would be a question as to whether Granderson would play center field, or move to a corner position to allow Juan Lagares to be the center fielder. In any case, an outfield of Granderson, Lagares, and Chris Young, or Eric Young, Jr., Granderson, and Chris Young would be a significant improvement over the 2013 outfield.

Finally, the Mets are at a point where they need to do something significant, and do it quickly. The fan base is growing increasingly antsy over the lack of significant activity, in the off-season that was supposed to be the most significant in the recent past. Granderson is a marquee name, perhaps the biggest name of this year’s free agent class. And having him move across town certainly would not hurt the perceived value of signing him.

This may be an interesting week, to be followed by another next week.

Stay tuned.

Thoughts from Danny Abriano:

If the Mets aren’t planning a run at Jacoby Ellsbury or Shin-Soo Choo, Granderson should be their target.

Granderson will turn 33 in March, and is likely to command a three or four year deal at roughly $15 million dollars per year.  The Mets are rumored to be interested in Nelson Cruz, but I don’t see why they would be.  Cruz is coming off a PED suspension, and has one plus tool – his power.  Cruz is also a complete butcher in the outfield.

Rich wondered above whether Granderson would play center field or in a corner outfield spot if the Mets were to sign him.  Since Juan Lagares’ value at the moment lies with his defense, one would figure that Granderson would find himself in a corner.

There still may be a long way to go between now and the time Granderson signs, but Alderson meeting with him is certainly a step in the right direction.

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