Mets Showing Genuine Interest In Granderson
Update 3:45 PM – The Mets plans to meet with the agent for free-agent Curtis Granderson this week according to Mike Puma.
Update 3:30 PM – Granderson will reject his $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Yankees and become a free agent according to Joel Sherman.
Original Post 1:15 PM: Several beat writers who are in Orlando, Florida for baseball’s GM Meetings are reporting that the Mets interest in free-agent Curtis Granderson is genuine and that there’s real buzz surrounding the former Yankees outfielder.
On Friday, Andy Martino of the Daily News, spoke to two people familiar with the Mets’ thinking who said that the Mets have expressed preliminary interest in Granderson, however their level of seriousness will all depend on how the market develops.
Granderson, 32, will have plenty of teams in hot pursuit because he’s only seeking a 3-4 year deal. Both the Cubs and the White Sox have already expressed interest in Granderson who would give the Mets the power they are looking for. The Chicago native as always expressed a desire to play for his hometown.
Martino compares him to Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier in that both will likely cost the same amount in dollars and years and are very similar players, but Granderson wouldn’t cost the Mets any prospects.
Granderson represents the next tier of free agent outfielders just below top targets like Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury, both of whom will net a deal worth $100 million or more.
After solid campaigns in 2011 and 2012 in which he clubbed 40+ home runs consecutively, Granderson slashed at .220/.317/.407 in 61 games last season with a 97 wRC+, .319 wOBA, and a 1.4 fWAR.
What appeals to me about Granderson is his team-first attitude which would fit right in with the rest of the Mets clubhouse. But he is coming off an injury plagued season and that represents a big risk for the near $50 million he could end up getting. That said, the home run power potential is definitely there.
(Updated 11/11)
