CURTIS GRANDERSON, OF
Player Data: Age: 35, B/T: Left/Right, Free Agency: 2018
2016 Primary Stats: .237/.335/.464, 30 HR, 59 RBI, 74 BB, 130 K, 88 R, 150 G
2016 Review:
Curtis Granderson was coming off one of his finest seasons in years in 2015, recording his highest OPS (.821), OBP (.364), hits (15), and stolen bases (11), since 2011 with the New York Yankees.
Granderson started the 2016 season off at a decent clip, hitting .241/.347/.471 with four homers, nine RBI, and 11 walks in April. But those numbers dropped in May and August, Granderson’s two worst statistical months in regards to his slash line and OPS. Granderson was also not having the same success batting leadoff as he did a year prior, getting on-base at a .317 clip compared to .360 in 140 games out of the leadoff spot in ’15.
When diving into his pre and post All-Star game numbers, many of his pre All-Star stats look similar to his post numbers. However, digging deeper into the stats, Granderson played in 16 less games in the second half of the season, and put up a better OPS (.803 to .796), drove in more runs (32 to 27), and scored more runs (46 to 42) than in the first half of the season. He also matched his home run output of the first-half, 15, which he hit in 75 fewer at-bats after the Midsummer Classic.
Granderson turned it on in September, where he compiled his best month of the years with a line of .286/.400/.604, with eight homers and 21 RBI. He also enjoyed hitting cleanup for the Amazins, where he hit to the tune of a .321/.440/.605 slash line, with six homers and 18 RBI in 23 games out of the number four spot.
Before Game 3 of this year’s World Series, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Granderson was the recipient of the annual Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes the player that best represents baseball through contributions on and off the field and community service, among other things. Granderson has always represented baseball with a high standard, and his contributions outside of the game deserve much praise.
Grade: C+
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2017 Outlook:
Granderson enters his final year under contract as a Met, and will be part of their outfield configuration in some way. A lot depends on the re-signing of Yoenis Cespedes, as some in the industry believes a Lagares/Granderson platoon in centerfield would work best, leaving Cespedes in left, and moving Conforto over to play right. In the case Cespedes departs, and with the Mets picking up Jay Bruce‘s ’17 option last week, they’ll have decisions to make on Conforto, Bruce, Lagares, and Granderson, although it would be extremely left-handed.
The Mets could also explore trading Granderson in the offseason, either to fill other holes they have, or shedding salary as a way to sign or trade for another player of need. They could also revisit that option before the trade deadline as well.
If Granderson remains with the Mets for the entirety of 2017, I expect numbers close to his 2015-16 production, meaning he’d be around an .800 OPS, 23-26 home runs, 65-70 RBI, and close to 90 runs scored. Health has been on his side during his tenure as a Met, appearing in 155, 157, and 150 games in his first three seasons. His veteran leadership will be much welcomed on a team ushering in younger and younger talent.
