Granderson a Major Improvement in Center

In a previous post I stated that the Yankees would have a quiet off season but might be able to trade for Curtis Granderson. Well, the second part has come true and it was a great pick up for the Yankees.

Granderson gives the Yankees the center fielder that they haven't had since Bernie Williams. Of course he isn't anywhere close to the player that Bernie was but this is a definite upgrade from Melkey Cabrera and Brett Gardner.

The one negative of Granderson's game is his average against lefties, which was under .200 last season. And his overrall average dropped to .249. His dramatic drop in batting average may be due to him trying to hit home runs and spark an offense that was quiet this season.

Granderson won't be a lead off hitter with the Yankees, that is now Jeter's job, and he excelled at it last season. His OBP also dropped and he may not be a suitable number two hitter. Look for Granderson to hit somewhere in the sixth or seventh spot, while the Yankees move Robinson Cano up to number two, assuming the Yankees don't resign Johnny Damon.

Granderson gives the Yankees more than a great baseball player. He has a great personality and may be one of the more well liked players in baseball. We have all seen Granderson in interviews and on television with ESPN's Baseball Tonight and he's a knowledgeable baseball player. A guy like Granderson with his personality will fit perfect in the Yankees clubhouse, which changed dramatically during their World Series championship season.

As for the players the Yankees lost, it is always hard to let young players go but the you never know how minor leaguers are going to turn out. Ian Kennedy struggled in the Major Leagues but was a dominate minor league pitcher. He can still be a good pitcher in the Majors but the Yankees are better off trading Kennedy rather than Hughes or Chamberlain.

Giving up Austin Jackson was necessary for the Yankees to get Granderson. The Yankees see him as the same kind of player as Granderson who is already a proven center fielder. We hear the names of these prospects but many of us rarely see them play. The Yankees may have hyped Jackson up a little just to trade him. Jackson only had four home runs in the minors last year so getting Granderson will be better for the Yankees in the future.

Granderson, 29, will be with the Yankees for a while and he can change games with his speed. Look for him to hit 35 home runs with the short porch in right field, while also improving his batting average because he doesn't have to try to do to much in this Yankees line up.