Joel Sherman of the New York Post has reported via Twitter that the Mets have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Curtis Granderson. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the contract is for four years and $60 million.
Hampered by injuries last year, Granderson hit .229/.317/.407 in only 245 plate appearances. From 2011-2012, Granderson hit 84 home runs, the most of any player in baseball during that time.
Oliver projects Granderson as a 3.0 WAR player in 2014, and following a standard .5 WAR aging curve, Granderson projects to be worth 9.0 WAR throughout the life of this contract.
As Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal has shared, Granderson’s power actually translates well to Citi Field, so some drop off can be expected, but perhaps not as much as one might imagine.
The contract represents the largest given out by Sandy Alderson in his time with the Mets in terms of years, total money, and average annual value. Also, the Mets will lose their second round draft pick in 2014.
I like this signing by the Mets not only because it gives them a real upgrade in the outfield, but it actually sends a message that the team is real about competing moving forward. Their opening day outfield now projects roughly as Chris Young – Juan Lagares – Curtis Granderson, with Eric Young Jr. on the bench – a huge step forward over last year’s group.
This signing also sets the Mets up to make other moves at the upcoming Winter Meetings – be it trading Daniel Murphy and/or Ike Davis for upgrades at other positions of need, namely shortstop or more pitching help.
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A couple of days ago I theorized 4/$66 for Granderson so this is right in line. He may not end up being worth it on a dollars-to-WAR basis but I would suggest we kick in a little extra for fan psyche. Also, for taking us out of any running for Nelson Cruz.
I’m cautiously optimistic about this move.
It’s really surprising how overpaying for a one aging player can calm the fan bases, change their outlook, and stop the whining.
The team needs a change in personnel and culture. Grandy gives us a weapon that’s been missing. Does his addition mean the Mets are a playoff team? No. But he has a real chance to contribute on both sides oft he lines. It also says, maybe a decent FA can go to Flushing. It at least gives the impression the tide is turning. In the Granderson era, all our young arms will be up and the veteran presence will be great. I love the deal.
I disagree on Lagares starting right now. I think that Eric Young Jr. is still the leadoff hitter so unless Murphy is off second base… Lagares is (where he belongs) the 4th OF.
Meh. EY Jr. is a 4th OF. I would take Lagares starting over Young any day of the week.
Once again people are fooled by Young’s shiny SB total.
.237/.288/.308 with a .596 OPS in August/September.
288 OBP is not leadoff material, .596 OPS is not major league material.
Lagares had a .672 and a .437 OPS in August and September.
Juan Lagares is supported by a strong July. He’s not someone we WANT starting. Young Jr. is the leadoff hitter right now. He’s not a GOOD one but he is the only one we have right now.
I’m not advocating for Lagares either. We don’t have any great options, but frankly i’d rather see the Mets go unconventional with Duda or maybe Chris Young in the leadoff role than give EY a roster spot. He gets a pass and automatic bid on this team for some reason even though he was terrible and well below average last year.
funny thing about baseball.
After they are done hitting the ball, they have to go out there and catch the ball.
But don’t you worry about that, David. You go on evaluating Juan Lagares based on his OPS in July, instead on the Wins Above Replacement he provided.
Because I’m sure Eric Young Junior will be throwing out runners at home base and making plays in CF.
Happy we picked up Granderson – a decent human being with good power and defense. Thrilled we didn’t pick up Cruz – a defensive liability with offensive production likely bolstered by PEDs.
This was an easy move to see coming. Now lets see what magic Alderson can really work to get the organization back on track.
There is an article floating out there somewhere that states that players migrating from the AL to the NL get a 5% boost; if so, that will mitigate the Citifield effects for Grandy.
I said that four years was too long, and it is, but if you value a WAR at $5.5m per, and figure Grandy to get you 12 in his first three years … well, its less of a risk than giving an injured CF seven years or a second baseman a quarter billion.
Without seeing that article you are suggesting, i’d have to seriously doubt that claim. There are too many other variables possible for the increase (such as a lot of players who are in their prime are switching over from the NL to AL) that i’d doubt that is due to the AL to NL effect. Also, does this “boost”(what is being boosted?) apply to only pitchers or only position players or both and how long does it last(only the 1st year or longer)?
Now we need a quailty bullpen arm
Need is a strong word
No David, unless his recent knee injury turns out to be serious, Lagares will be the starting CF next year. Sandy had already conceded that while Chris Young will get a shot at center in spring training, it is essentially Lagares’ job to lose. However, in Lagares, Chris Young and Granderson, the mets have 3 outfielders who are all capable of playing center so they should be able to cover a lot of ground and be a strong defensive unit. Eric Young may yet play 2b and lead off if Murphy is dealt, and I suspect that may be a strong option for Sandy. Don’t forget – den dekker may also come off the bench and he is just as strong defensively as Lagares.
Like the signing, if he stays healthy, he’ll produce. I really hope they keep Murphy too.
so a quick look at a SS …
Brad Miller. Excess middle infielder in Seattle; a possible plus hitter and projects to a 3 WAR. Seattle, in turn, could flip either or both Murphy and Davis to lure Price away from Tampa, along with Taijuan Walker.
Rays get a 3B, a 1B, a top ten talent. Mets get the SS they need. The Mariners get the best available pitcher on the market and give up ostensibly only an excess middle infielder and a prospect.
I certainly like the idea of Brad Miller. I already proposed that Tampa might be interested in Murphy. Not sure they’d want Davis but you never know.
Considering Davis has no trade value(those are your words), Price for Walker and Murphy would be a highly disappointing package if I were a Rays fan. Not to mention that the main motivation for trading Price is to shed his payroll (estimated 15? million), so trading for the projected 8-10 mil of Murphy and Ike doesn’t make sense.
Considering an aging Dickey netted 2 top prospects, 2 years of Shields netted a top-5 talent plus more, pricetags are skyhigh this winter, the fact that everyone knows Seattle is willing to throw out rational thinking and go for broke, a package for Price will likely have to be far greater than that.
I like Brad Miller though. Do they have any internal options if they trade him or is trading him likely to lead to signing Drew? Maybe it’s better for him not to be traded so Drew can come very cheaply to us.
You are ignoring that the Rays will be getting Taijuan Walker, a top five talent that nearly alone would be enough to interest the Rays. Other outlets are suggesting that the Rays would take Walker, Franklin and a prospect for Price. Murphy – a proven entity – to me is quite a bit more valuable than Franklin.
Comparing Shields – who has an attractive contract – to trading Price, who really does not – seems a bit of a stretch. Same thing would apply to Dickey, who was being significantly underpaid. Both required overcompensation to overcome the dollars NOT being spent.
It would surprise me if even two full years of Price was anywhere near what Shields or Dickey brought their teams.
And Drew declined an QO, did he not? The Mets will not be interested in Drew, if that is the case since they have made plain they will not be losing more than one draft pick.
Franklin played nearly as much SS and he did 2B in the minors, from what I saw, so a trade of Miller would be possible.
The dollars though, would be a stretch. I’m sure if the Mets could get a guy like Miller, they’d happily pony up quite a bit of money to make that deal work.
The Rays don’t have to deal him now. I looked at the Rays payroll and it is currently around the mark they were at last year once you add in Price and Joyce’s arbitration contracts. They are looking to be overwhelmed by him and not just get fair value. Murphy has value, but not so much to a small market team like the Rays. The whole reason they are trading Price is to avoid his escalating salary. They want prospects and/or cheap major leaguers. Walker, Franklin + a prospect makes much more sense to me.
Thanks goodness. I was really starting to worry the Mets might not do anything this offseason. Hopefully now a decent SS now. Personally I am not sold on Lagares because he can’t hit but think he should get the shot to start.
Im all in on Grandy for 4/60. Today I applaud SA and the Wilpon’s.
On top of the power bat and OF play, we get a guy with make-up off the charts. With such a young team, Wright cannot alone will need veteran help from an impeccable player to shape up this team. His X factor score is plus-plus.
I like this move a lot. I also like CY-JL-CG left to right, and now believe that Murph is expendable with EY moving to 2B.
All in all a good day for the Orange and Blue!!!
LET’S GO METS (sorry for shouting Brian!)
Q: what number will Grandy take? 14 and 41 are gone!
This is a good move for the Mets. Good clubhouse guy. Strong player. I like it. A step in the right direction.
I like Granderson. Good fielder and when he hits the ball, it goes for extra bases 40% of the time.
They’re going to have a lot of all or nothing players in the middle of the order, but so did the Braves last year.
Time to get a SS and trade Ike or Duda. My guess is that Murph is gone too, freeing up second for EY.
Granderson isn’t ideal, but it had to be done. It sends a message and gives us a clean up hitting corner OFer. If his four
I would love to take fliers on Jason Hammel and Paul Maholm. Both are relatively young with nice upsides.
If we can add at least one back of the rotation starter and a few pen arms via free agency, I would use my trade bullets to try and land Profar. Start with a package of Montero, Duda, Flores and Plawecki and involve a third team if need be.
I have my doubts about this four year deal (oh man Bay’s contract was 4/$66), but the reality is the Mets needed players who are actually good at baseball in their starting lineup. Certainly better than the outrageous contracts being handed out this winter. He’ll now be wearing the orange and blue, so I’m hoping for the best.
The move was good for a number of reasons.
1) Real talent with pop and speed and defense
2) Threat behind Wright will make him better too.
3) relieve the pressure on the younger guys as now there are several vets in run producing rolls.
4) gives the fan base some optimism about the team and the front office that was under siege.
5) they may actually sell and renew some tickets and season tickets because they showed a serious attempt to improve.
6)This move also removes any chance that the Wilpons are selling anytime soon or that baseball should intervene.
7) Queens just became a bit more welcoming for players that may be approached.
I’m all for this contract and I realize that this could turn into Jason Bay 2.0 but Granderson is much more likable than Bay.
I like the Grandy move because they finally “wanted” a player. I was wishing for Choo….and happy they stayed away from Ellsbury. Grandy is an excellent ballplayer. They’ve done a nice buildout on flexibility and baserunning/defense/speed, starting with EYJ and continuing with C Young and Grandy. I am more concerned with Grandy’s 2012 output versus his 2013 injuries…that said, He’s an excellent Profession Starting Ballplayer.
Well done!
Why would the mets trade Murphy they should trade Flores if Flores gets hurt which is most likely to happen then we need have another hole in are lineup well need to fill
Looks like Beltran will be replacing Grandy in the outfield for the Yanks. Good move for them. Beltran is still a quality guy and player. I would have liked for him to come back to the Mets but it was obvious he was going to the AL.
Not really replace but pile on. Now they have Ellsbury, Soriano, Gardner, Ichiro, Wells, And Beltran. Typical Yankee overspending
I don’t know why we stopped talking about him, but with this market, Ethier’s contract doesn’t look as bad as it did before. Honestly, I think I’d rather take on his entire contract(4/71) + give up a low level minor leaguer rather than have signed Granderson to 4/60 as I think Ethier will decline much more gracefully than Granderson and he’s actually younger than Grandy by a year.