AJ: This is Why I Hate the Yankees

I am pissed.  The Yankees just got Curtis Granderson, the Tigers’ All-Star centerfielder, for virtually nothing!  Are you fucking kidding me?

OK, the Yankees gave up Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy and minor-league prospect Austin Jackson in the three-way deal, which included the Arizona Diamondbacks, along with the Tigers.  But, all I care about is that the  World Series champion Yankees just got better.  

(This outcome is pending final approval of all details of the deal, including a review of players’ medical records, etc)

The Yankees are already the best team in baseball.  They have, BY FAR, the best hitting lineup in the game.   Great starters, best closer in history…..and, now, they add Granderson, who can hit for power (30 HRs last year) field well in center, and, steal bases.   This is why, indeed, I despise the Bombers.  Just when they’re on top of the world, they add to their kingdom.  The rich got richer.

I’ve always respected Granderson’s ability at the plate.  He looks like a hitter and hits for contact and power.  He has long at-bats.  And, he’s one of those guys who often seems to start trouble – i.e. – a rally.  He’s a terrific baserunner.  Not only does he steal often, but, often, he gets the extra base on a hit.  He’s an all-around player.

Granderson is only 28.  His 2009 salary was $3.5 million – with a total of an additional $25 million left on his contract before he’ll become a free agent after 2011.  His average dropped from .302 in 2007 to .280 in 2008 to .249 in 2009.  Last year, however, Granderson had 30 HRs, 71 RBIs and 20 steals and made the All-Star team.    Granderson is better than his stats indicate, in my view.   I can see him thriving on the Yankees.

So, just when the Yankees face a dilemma of potentially losing Johnny Damon and/or Hideki Matsui, now, suddenly, they eliminated any concern about a void in the outfield.  They’ll move Melky Cabrera out of center and can trade Damon, if they don’t want to meet his salary demands. 

I cannot believe the Yankees pulled this off.  I have to give Yankee GM Brian Cashman credit.   

There is only one tiny consolation to this story:  It puts even more pressure on Red Sox GM Theo Epstein to make a BIG move rather than just signing a left-fielder.

Big Mike: Closing The Door On Papelbon

A trade involving Papelbon is not as unthinkable as you say. In fact, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he’s not wearing the Scarlet Hose come spring training.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Theo and his brain trust (including my personal deity, Bill James) value Mr. Drew a hell of a lot more than their brilliant closer. In fact, they really don’t worship closers as much as the rest of the baseball world does.

Look, Papelbon made six and a quarter mill this past season. An arbitrator will award him, oh, in the neighborhood of $10M if things go that far. I doubt if he’ll agree to a pre-arb hearing deal for less than $9M. Should he continue being Jonathon Papelbon (as opposed to becoming, say, Jeremy Papelbon who toils in obscurity in the Cubs system, natch) he’ll get $10-12M next offseason. Then after 2011, he’s gonna be in for a four or five year, $80-100M deal when he becomes a free agent. Boston ain’t never gonna go for that.

(True, Papelbon is entering his sixth season in 2010 but, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, he’ll still be shy of free agency after next year. His first season in 2005 was a partial one.)

The Red Sox have a mighty payroll but it’s unlikely they’ll want to commit such a huge fraction of it to the closer. The best bet right now is to turn him into some very usable parts — a Major League-ready prospect, an established position player or some creative combination.

You might ask, Who’d do that? The White Sox would. The Pale Hose are becoming less than infatuated with Bobby Jenks. He’d be a nice bridge between the Papelbon and Bard eras. The WSox though, would have to scuffle to find that position player the RSox would want.

Okay then. How about the Tigers? Detroit has a gaping hole at closer. Would they be willing to package Curtis Granderson for Papelbon? The Red Sox would listen if Jason Bay takes a hike. Shifting Granderson to left with Ellsbury remaining in center and Drew in right — wow! That’d be a defensive outfield worth seeing.

The point is, there’s always a market for a closer with gaudy statistics. And the Red Sox seem always confident that they can fill the role either from within or without. Hell, they can even pick up Billy Wagner’s option or buy him out and offer him a reasonable contract to come back.

In any case, now’s the time to deal Papelbon.