More Reasons The Cubs Should Trade For Curtis Granderson

about 2 years ago Al Yellon 46 comments 1 recs |

Comments

Yes!

This is the closest thing the Cubs can find to a silver bullet. Do this, Jim Hendry.

I’m glad this writer thinks — as I and others have suggested — that Granderson would be a very nice fit hitting between Aramis and Sori.

by elgato on Nov 17, 2009 10:44 AM CST reply actions

Agreed

This guy trains here anyways in the offseason, he might as well play ball here.

by BadDecisions on Nov 17, 2009 10:51 AM CST reply actions

Thanks Al

Good perspective. I’m still worried about his splits against LHP, but I still think he’d be a solid pickup.

by AGC on Nov 17, 2009 11:25 AM CST reply actions

Curtis Granderson is an organization's ideal person.

He is simply the best of the best in terms of character. Not to mention he is a terrific player but I think he’s an even better person.

I find it hard to believe the Tigers would ever trade him. Honestly, if this is indeed true, how can they justify letting Maggs’ option vest and then be forced to trade some of their best players for financial reasons?

I don’t understand what is going on in that organization. If this is true, the Tigers are one of the most mismanaged teams in MLB. Dave Dombrowski made this mess, how does he keep his job?

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2009 11:28 AM CST reply actions

agreed

I’d be interested to find out if the Tigers are actually trying to decrease payroll or if it’s just posturing at this point.

Granderson being made available is almost too good to be true.

by AGC on Nov 17, 2009 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

I'm all for getting C Grand

but not for Starlin Castro. Josh Vitters? Yes.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Nov 17, 2009 11:44 AM CST reply actions

I've read that Starlin is a deal breaker.

The Cubs aren’t willing to trade him for anyone at this time.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

I agree with that.

I would trade him for Pujols and Hanley Ramirez of course :)

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Nov 17, 2009 12:03 PM CST up reply actions

This is actually an interesting question --

would you trade Castro – and it couldn’t just be Castro – but 3-5 more top prospects for Albert Pujols right now?

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 17, 2009 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, I think I would.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2009 12:55 PM CST up reply actions

So, how would you make this work, contract wise?

And what if Pujols gave no indication of signing an extension? What if Pujols re-signed with the Cards and they had 4 of our top prospects to play around him?

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 17, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

I think you'd have to be assured that he'd sign an extension.

I wouldn’t do it for him as a rent-a-player.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Pujols' is still in the prime of his career.

(He will turn 30 in January., I believe.)

A couple of years from now, I wonder if the answer would be different.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2009 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, after I got a good

report from that Elbow guy down in Alabama…what is his name?

"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root

by TheRiot Police on Nov 17, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions

Dr. James Andrews

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Nov 17, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Ask and you shall receive

by jerry morales rules on Nov 17, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

by jerry morales rules on Nov 17, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

That's Erin Andrews

But I’ll accept anyway.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Nov 18, 2009 7:18 AM CST up reply actions

I think everyone would

She could be the hot sexy nurse to James Andrews

"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher

by Musicdude10 on Nov 18, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

I would lean towards yes.

But I wouldn’t give up both SS (Lee, Castro). I would have to save one of the top pitchers.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Nov 17, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions

That's a good point.

And a good example of why inventory in your minor league system is so important.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

Y'know, I've been toying with the idea...

…of calling Granderson “the anti-Milton Bradley,” but I see George Castle’s done it for me.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 17, 2009 11:54 AM CST reply actions

Somewhat random...

but I’m really anxious to see Fox get a full-time shot in the American League. He may fall apart in a full time role, but he became my favorite Cub this year. If we do get Granderson for Fox and other pieces, I’d be real interested to see how Fox will do in a larger role.

by Kansas25 on Nov 17, 2009 12:21 PM CST reply actions

There's only one problem with this guy

He’s essentially a platoon player, as he has appalling numbers against lefties. Do you really want to trade a valuable prospect for a guy that can’t play everyday? I have some concerns.

As far as his personality, he’s a great fit.

Maybe they can bring back Reed Johnson on the cheap and they can platoon.

Scott Bora$ is satan.

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Nov 17, 2009 1:01 PM CST reply actions

Now, see, I think platoon players are an opportunity more than a problem.

We’ve got to have 5 guys on the bench anyway – why not have two or three of those bench guys be in platoons, making everyone more productive and better rested?

In other words, I think platoons are awesome.

Is he traded yet?

by DGU on Nov 17, 2009 1:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Exactly.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Nov 17, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

I would also like to add

that the more ways a player can help a team win, the more value they bring to a team. A player like Granderson can help with his speed and defense along with his hitting.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions

I agree primarily.

However, the counter argument is two-fold:

1) The opponent then dictates your line-up. If the Cubs were in a 5 game playoff set with the Phillies, Granderson probably has to be out of the line-up for three (if not four) out of those five games against Lee and Hamels (granted, we’d all be happy to at least be back in the playoffs).

2) It is hard enough to find 8 quality “every day” players… when you have designed platoons, you’re stretching how far that true quality needs to run. Some posters love Reed (for example), some don’t. Some love him less if he ends up starting 65-70 games (say 35-40 against LHP and another 30 “resting regulars” starts).

Again… I’m generally fine with platoons. And I am MORE than fine with bringing in Granderson (at the right trade price, of course). But relying too heavily on platoons is not something I’m in love with. For me, you’d want no more than two platoons… and preferably one or one and a half (example: Baker starts 120 games at 2B with Fontenot starting the other 42 if he’s still around).

And I am definitely fine with getting bench guys more regular at-bats… but I think Lou actually does a pretty decent job with this. Our bench guys don’t seem to sit and “rot” too long with all of the double-switches and PH appearances (combined with an 12 man pitching staff).

by fsuapollo on Nov 17, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Bear in mind there are more RHPs in baseball than LHPs.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 17, 2009 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

And only the Pirates (in the NL Central)

have multiple left handers on their staff, as I recall.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 17, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

I watched a number of Tigers games on the MLB package

since I had Granderson and Cabrera on my fantasy team. Yes Granderson struggles against lefties but not all lefties. I think he would hit 15-20 points higher against lefties in the National league. I am against trotting out a all righty lineup against a lefty pictcher everyday, if the pitcher gets in a grove you never change his approach with everybody hitting from the right side. I would selectively sit Granderson against some lefties (Santana, Lee, Kershaw, Johnsons come to mind and at most that would be 8 games). I don’t think Wolf, Maholm or Duke would give him a lot of trouble. Granderson’s speed would greatly improve our defense when we play the NL west teams in all those big ball parks out there. I wouldn’t give up Castro but anybody else is on the table, load up.

by Cubsfan Waveland on Nov 17, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

He hasn't always been as bad as 2009

He was above average against lefties as recently as 2008. He might bounce back. But you could also flip-flop him and Soto in the order against lefties.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by cubzfan on Nov 17, 2009 3:13 PM CST up reply actions

Freudian Slip...?

Just as important, Granderson is the majors’ role model for off-the-field deportment and community service,

Maybe he can deport Milton Bradley when he joins the Cubs…

by lswaidz on Nov 17, 2009 1:51 PM CST reply actions

I don't think that means what you think it does

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 17, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

It doesn't.

Here’s a dictionary definition of “deportment”.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2009 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

Yabbut

My definition was funnier and included getting rid of Milton Bradley… that’s gotta be worth something!

by lswaidz on Nov 17, 2009 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

True enough.

If only it were that easy.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Nov 17, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

This is exactly why

All baseball trades and free agency acquisitions should be like Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball… To add a player you have to drop a player. :-)

by lswaidz on Nov 17, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

Phil Rogers heartily endorses this approach!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Nov 17, 2009 7:37 PM CST up reply actions

Silly Stats and Splits

Chew on this…

Player A in 2009: Player A in 2008:

v. RHP = .275/.358/.531 v. RHP = .288/.383/.517
v. LHP = .183/.245/.239 v. LHP = .259/.310/.429

Player B in 2009: Player B in 2008:

v. RHP = .256/.308/.459 v. RHP = .252/.319/.460
v. LHP = .184/.283/.286 v. LHP = .351/.404/.710

Player A just happens to be Curtis Granderson and Player B just happens to be Alfonso Soriano. I’m pretty certain everyone would take the Granderson splits from 2008 in CF for the Cubs in 2010.

To state that Granderson is a “platoon” player because he struggled against LHP in 2009 would be fine…if the same was said about Soriano versus LHP in 2009 and RHP in 2008. None of the above are accurate.

Don’t blindly take as fact certain things said by the print media rubes who generally know about as much baseball as a trained seal. In this case, its Keith Law perpetuating the myth that Granderson is a platoon player based on one year’s worth of down-sliding stats. Granderson is a better player than that.

Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?

by krummy12 on Nov 17, 2009 4:37 PM CST reply actions