Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson

[Chicago White Sox]

http://www.suntimes.com/m/23002028-773/sou...granderson.html

 

Curtis Granderson makes sense as a free-agent target for the White Sox on two levels:

 

† He’s a left-handed hitter who slugged a combined 84 home runs in 2011 and 2012 and can play all three outfield positions. The Sox need offense, power and better defense in the outfield and covet a flexible roster of players who aren’t limited to one position, a la the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

† Granderson grew up in south suburban Lynwood and played high school baseball at Thornton Fractional South and college ball at UIC, which recently broke ground on a new baseball facility donated by Granderson. The

campus is three miles from U.S. Cellular Field.

 

The Sox appear to have more than a passing interest in bringing Granderson home. A source told the Sun-Times the Sox will make a hard push for Granderson, 32, who will be a free agent for the first time and might come cheaper than expected because of two freak inju-

ries that limited him to 61 games, seven homers and 15 RBI in 2013.

 

The Sox might be viewing

Alejandro De Aza as a fourth outfielder — or as trade bait.

 

As the Sox were wrapping up a 99-loss season, general manager Rick Hahn said he would resist going for a short-term fix during the offseason and would strive for ‘‘long-term, sustainable success’’ instead. Because of his age and the money he might command, Granderson wouldn’t seem to fit into that plan. But for the right price, he would be the type of addition who could help make the Sox respectable again.

 

Granderson suffered a broken right forearm and a broken left pinkie from being hit by pitches this season. Agent Matt Brown acknowledged Granderson’s numbers will affect his market value. He also said the four-time All-Star wants to return to the Yankees.

 

If Hahn has his eye on Granderson, he’ll try to fly under the radar, following the Sox’ way of doing business. But that might be easier hoped for than done.

 

In what would be an even bigger catch and expense, the Sox also are tracking Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu, whose two-day showcase in the Dominican Republic last week was attended by vice president Ken Williams.

 

Abreu, 26, is viewed as a potential 30-homer, 100-RBI slugger, and the Sox need a first baseman, with Paul Konerko planning to retire

after next season, if not sooner. The Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox are also interested, and Baseball America cites the Sox among the teams that make the most sense for Abreu.

 

The Sox entered the 2013 season with a payroll near $119 million, but they have only $48.25 million in 2014 salary commitments (not counting players eligible for arbitration), so Hahn has flexibility. In August, Williams said he wanted to see more of Abreu.

 

‘‘If it’s big money it’s big money,’’ Williams said then. ‘‘Can we fit it into our equation? We’ve gone out and spent money before at given times. It has to fit into the current equation and our three-year look.’’

 

Williams declined to discuss Abreu on Friday.

 

If the Sox are going after players such as Abreu and Granderson, some will believe it when they see it. Another major-league source is skeptical about them spending a lot this offseason.

 

Granderson ‘‘has good things going in his favor,’’ the source said. ‘‘He’s a Chicago kid with a name on the back of the jersey to create a buzz. Are they going to come up with the cash? I don’t see that happening.’’

 

Second- and third-tier free agents and Rule 5 draft picks might be more in line with Hahn’s plan.

 

‘‘Everything points in the direction that they’re downsizing,’’ the source said. ‘‘They don’t need one [free agent]; they need about six.’’

[cabiness42]

 He's a left-handed hitter who slugged a combined 84 home runs in 2011 and 2012 and can play all three outfield positions. The Sox need offense, power and better defense in the outfield and covet a flexible roster of players who aren’t limited to one position, a la the Tampa Bay Rays.

 

Granderson isn't the worst guy the Sox could go after, but he is not an OBP guy and that is a bigger problem on this team than power and defense.

[Buehrle>Wood]

"The Sox might be viewing

Alejandro De Aza as a fourth outfielder — or as trade bait."

 

 

Just terrible if true.

[Dunt]

If Hahn thinks Granderson is a step towards "long term, sustainable success" this franchise is more screwed than I thought.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Dunt

[flavum]

"The Sox might be viewing

Alejandro De Aza as a fourth outfielder — or as trade bait."

 

 

Just terrible if true.

 

Nobody would miss De Aza. Nobody.

[LittleHurt05]

Nobody would miss De Aza. Nobody.

 

I would.

[ChiSox_Sonix]

I would.

 

Me too.

 

Granderson is a nice player but it would be a mistake if he is our "big splash". He's gonna want a lot of money and is already 32.

[flavum]

Me too.

 

Granderson is a nice player but it would be a mistake if he is our "big splash". He's gonna want a lot of money and is already 32.

 

I wouldn't want Granderson for more than two guaranteed years, but I'll take him over De Aza any day of the week.

 

De Aza is a 4th outfielder for an NL team. He can pinch hit, fill in for a regular on the DL, pinch run for slow guys.

 

When you ask De Aza to start 150 games, he'll be part of the problem. Not part of the solution.

[LittleHurt05]

I wouldn't want Granderson for more than two guaranteed years, but I'll take him over De Aza any day of the week.

 

De Aza is a 4th outfielder for an NL team. He can pinch hit, fill in for a regular on the DL, pinch run for slow guys.

 

When you ask De Aza to start 150 games, he'll be part of the problem. Not part of the solution.

 

Guys who can hit 15+ homers and steal 20+ bases aren't easy to come by, I don't know why everyone thinks De Aza has no value.

[witesoxfan]

Among qualified outfielders, Alejandro De Aza was 36th in fWAR at 2.2, suggesting he is a second tier starter and roughly a league average player. Players like that are not 4th outfielders, no matter how infuriating they can be at times.

[Harry Chappas]

If Granderson could play slightly above average centerfield, he will be fine.

 

[southsider2k5]

Nobody would miss De Aza. Nobody.

 

He may be an idiot, but he wouldn't be easy to replace. I have we forgotten the Mark Kotsay and Rob Mackowiaks of the world?

[southsider2k5]

If Hahn thinks Granderson is a step towards "long term, sustainable success" this franchise is more screwed than I thought.

 

It is the step that tells everyone you are looking at being respectable ASAP. It is the type of step took when the Tigers were offering insane amounts of money to guys like Magglio and Gonzalez to try to make the statement that Detroit was a place worth going to after years of horrible teams.

[cabiness42]

The problem with DeAza is that he doesn't quite hit well enough to be a good corner outfielder and he doesn't quite field well enough to be a good center fielder. No matter which place you put him, you are going to sacrifice either offense or defense.

 

Now, if your roster is such that you have a RH corner outfielder you can platoon him with, that's the ideal situation.

[maggsmaggs]

This is exactly what a retooling or rebuilding team needs: a 33 – year – old outfielder when the season starts whose WAR has declined the past two years.

 

It does not seem like Granderson will be that much better than De Aza next year. And when you consider the price tag for Granderson based on name alone, De Aza it seems like the more economical player.

Edited October 7, 2013 by maggsmaggs

[harfman77]

That would be a terrible move. Get Granderson to replace the other LH bat in the lineup doesn't help to bring anymore balance to the lineup, Granderson's OBP and defense are trending downward and his power was propped up by playing in Yankee Stadium. That money would be used much better to invest in a long term solution at one of the corner infield positions.

[witesoxfan]

The problem with DeAza is that he doesn't quite hit well enough to be a good corner outfielder and he doesn't quite field well enough to be a good center fielder. No matter which place you put him, you are going to sacrifice either offense or defense.

 

Now, if your roster is such that you have a RH corner outfielder you can platoon him with, that's the ideal situation.

 

He's going to provide league average value no matter where you play him. He's a pretty average player. If you value and trade him as such, then I have no problem. If you trade him as if he's a 4th outfielder, you are not going to get nearly the value you should out of him.

 

On a team like the Sox, I understand that he may not offer a great deal of surplus value, but there are teams where he even his league average production could be the difference between losing and winning a wild card birth.

[Jerksticks]

This makes me want to puke. Might as well extend Dunn's contract and bat them 3-4 for the next 7 years.

[Dunt]

It is the step that tells everyone you are looking at being respectable ASAP. It is the type of step took when the Tigers were offering insane amounts of money to guys like Magglio and Gonzalez to try to make the statement that Detroit was a place worth going to after years of horrible teams.

 

I dont think anybody in the MLB is saying "The Sox signed Curtis Granderson? Holy s*** I wanna get there, he would provide me with the protection I've been missing". Use that money towards a player that will make a difference for a long time like McCann.

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

Everything I need to know about the "source" is in his thinking that Granderson is a 1st tier free agent " . He's not . I like the idea of getting a CF but it shouldn't be Granderson unless they think they can get him for 2 years max and $8-10M . I doubt he'd settle for that after making $13M a season. He's not going to be the 3.5 WAR player he was. Fan graphs is asking what do you think he is worth amongst fans right now. so that'll be interesting to see. I'd be shocked if most teams don't wait him out till after January so he knows he not in a position to demand a lot.

[southsider2k5]

I dont think anybody in the MLB is saying "The Sox signed Curtis Granderson? Holy s*** I wanna get there, he would provide me with the protection I've been missing". Use that money towards a player that will make a difference for a long time like McCann.

 

It is a step. And I can't believe I am seeing McCann classified as a long term difference maker, while Granderson is just dismissed out of hand. McCann is a 29 year old catcher, while Granderson is a 32 year old outfielder. In terms of their baseball lives, they are probably about on even footing, as catchers age much more quickly. Honestly either one of them is a step forward, and would help the middle of the order a ton. Me personally I would always be much more wary of a long term deal for a catcher.

[chw42]

Everything I need to know about the "source" is in his thinking that Granderson is a 1st tier free agent " . He's not . I like the idea of getting a CF but it shouldn't be Granderson unless they think they can get him for 2 years max and $8-10M . I doubt he'd settle for that after making $13M a season. He's not going to be the 3.5 WAR player he was. Fan graphs is asking what do you think he is worth amongst fans right now. so that'll be interesting to see. I'd be shocked if most teams don't wait him out till after January so he knows he not in a position to demand a lot.

 

I'm not sure if Granderson can still play a decent CF.

[Princess Dye]

Doesnt fit the timeline. Sounds like a favor to an agent.

[witesoxfan]

If everyone is so adamant on punting '14 why would it matter if we stick Granderson in CF and then move him to DH/LF after next year?

 

I actually agree with this line of thinking. Granderson would bring a few extra fans to the park, he still does have the ceiling of a 4 WAR player even though it's likelier he'd put up 2-3 WAR, and if he's only signed for 2-3 years, he can be used as trade bait in a year or two as well.

 

So long as it's closer to $8-11 mill a year as opposed to $14 or $15 million, I'm OK with it.

[Balta1701]

I'm not sure if Granderson can still play a decent CF.

UZR does not think he's any good out there at all and hasn't been in years.

 

I have no problem with Granderson if he's viewed the right way. He's an extreme platoon player and has been for most of his career. He bashes righties but hits like Alexei Ramirez against lefties. He strikes out a lot and pulls down a tolerable but not great amount of walks. He's clearly on the downside of his career but he's also a veteran presence at this point. He played only ~50 games last year and he was trending down the year before that.

 

Is he a regular CF? No. Is he an everyday player? Maybe he'd like to think so, but he'd be a lot better off playing 1 of 2 or 2 of 3 days to stay healthy. Should he be facing lefthanded starters? No.

 

He'd be good on a team where there are a couple right-handed hitting corner OF's who either are up there in years or who you might want to protect from some of the hardest righties, and where the team also has the DH spot open now or in the near future. If you could give him 120-130 games against right handed starters, maybe 2/3 of them in the field, that should work as long as most of those games in the field are not in CF.

 

We can make that work but we have to have a manager willing to do so and he has to be willing to do so as well. Aside from having a DH for one more year, we do have 2 right-hand hitting OF's, at least one of whom has shown strong splits against lefties in several seasons.

 

I would trust the GM to make that move, I'm not sure I'd trust either of the recent white sox managers to use him the way he should be used, which would wind up getting him banged up and on the DL and mostly wasted quite rapidly.