There's been numerous reports recently about the Tigers looking to shed payroll, prompting them to publicly make Edwin Jackson available.
Another cost cutting move popped up today, and it's one the Red Sox could benefit from by flexing their large market prowess. Curtis Granderson is now also available.
Before you freak out at his .243 average from 2009, let's go over some quick hits on Granderson.
1. Contract
5 years/$30.25M (2008-13), plus 2014 club option
* signed extension with Detroit 2/4/08
* 08:$1M, 09:$3.5M, 10:$5.5M, 11:$8.25M, 12:$10M, 13:$13M club option ($2M buyout)
While the 2012-2013 years are expensive, it's not a "bad" contract, and definitely something the Red Sox could handle if they want above average defense, power, and OBP in center field.
2. Quick Hits Skill Set
Comparatively to our current center fielder, Granderson stacks up thusly.
BB% - 9.6% career (7.9% career for Ellsbury)
Power (HR/FB%) - 12.2% career (6.0% career for Ellsbury)
K% - 24% career (13.1% career for Ellsbury)
Granderson, while striking out more due to his huge power numbers, has steadily decreased his strikeouts in his career, while still moderately improving his walk rate. Ellsbury (thankfully) showed another increase in his plate discipline, but has no chance of having power anywhere close to Granderson's potential. Granderson's HR/FB% compares to some hitters like Victor Martinez, Matt Holliday, and Hanley Ramirez.
Now, what the Tigers want is a big question. It would easily be less than any bounty for Prince or Adrian Gonzales, and you'd be getting a similar source of pop in the bat if you signed Matt Holliday. Would the Tigers want pitching? Would they want Ellsbury(most likely to replace him)? Do any of us honestly think whatever Ellsbury's ceiling might be that it could be better than Granderson circa 2007?
His 2009 AVG/OBP line is misleading. A very very low BABIP dragged his numbers down, while still maintaining a good walk rate, a solid power stroke, and a respectable strikeout rate for a player with 30 HR potential.
It's something to chew on. Think about these possible lineups if a trade happened:
2B - Pedroia
CF - Granderson
1B - Youk
LF - Holliday/Bay
C - Martinez
DH - Ortiz
RF - Drew
3B - Lowell
SS - ?
Or even:
LF - Ellsbury
2B - Pedroia
C - Martinez
1B - Youk
CF - Granderson
DH - Ortiz
RF - Drew
3B - Lowell
SS - ?
I wouldn't be surprised if the 2nd lineup's outfield defense (Ellsbury's arm and route running hidden in left, or Bay's lack of existence not dragging him down) is elite.
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Granderson is a valuable player for sure (and has been as high as a 7+ WAR player). However he is a truly horrid hitter against LHP. Do you want to have a guy who is not even usable in any leverage situation against lefties? In over 600 career at bats against lefties, Granderson has an OPS of 614. That is so bad as to scare me away.