The Yankees must keep their focus and disciplined approach to constructing their roster, continuing to build and improve the team using the same formula that got them back atop the ranks of Major League Baseball. Pitching is the immediate concern, with a lack of a fifth starter being their largest and most consistent weakness, hindering the team on some level all season in 2009. While Pettitte will likely move into that fifth starter role, the Yankees need to direct their available resources into securing a quality fourth man.
And in that respect, New York may have the right team to deal with when considering Granderson, but the wrong player. It was also announced that the superb Edwin Jackson will also be available for auction this winter. And if the price isn't too high (which it likely won't be), that is, the Tigers that the Yankees need to go target in the free agent hunt. And yes, that was a less than subtle segue into the next Pinstripe Report.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Of course they shouldn't trade Granderson!
His career left-right splits:
vs. righties: .292/.367/.528
vs. lefties: .210/.270/.344
And look who Grandy's numbers compare to through age 28. Yikes on a stick.
2 - Tony
Some of those guys were solid ball players. I think if he hooks up with a really good pitching coach in the right ballpark he will get himself straight. But he needs to learn plate discipline, he needs to strike out less, and he needs to stop trying to hit balls out of the park.
He might be able to overcome this on the Yankees but I think its doubtful. Many left handed hitters have ruined themselves getting pull happy, trying to catch that porch.
I could see him fitting perfectly with the Chicago Cubs. He has the potential to be a Milton Bradley type player without the ass hole factor if he can learn how to not strike out Rob Deer style.
3 - balistes
yes, swisher could play all three positions but none of them well.
4 - Tony
I actually think he played rightfield well and left is easier. He's a switch hitter and a good on base guy. But it doesn't look like he is coming back.
5 - Mike
wow does this look really really dumb now
6 - tony
I obviously underestimated the ineptitude of the Tigers' coaching staff, namely their hitting coach. If you had the foresight to see that Kevin Long would completely turn Granderson around someone should give you a job in a major league front office as a GM.