When the Mets signed Curtis Granderson to a four-year, $60 million dollar contract last off-season, he was expected to be the dangerous lefthanded cleanup hitter that the team desperately needed. However, he underperformed in his first year with the Mets, hitting just .227 with 20 home runs and a .714 OPS. He eventually lost the cleanup hitter spot and then shuffled around the lineup from leadoff on down for the remainder of the season.
Granderson recently talked about the pressures of being a highly paid player and his thoughts about his first season with the Mets in an interview with Anthony McCarron of the Daily News.
“There a couple of high-profile, high-contract guys on our team. I’m one of them,” Granderson said. “You can’t hide behind that. It’s up to me to deliver. I understand that. It doesn’t change the pressure I put on myself. I’m going to be putting just as much pressure on myself as the city, the fans, the media.”
“That’s the way you want it to be. I’m part of this team and hopefully people think we can do some good things. I want to make those statements true.”
“I didn’t get the start I would’ve loved to have,” he said. “Historically, I haven’t necessarily been a good starter. There’s been some struggles in some months in my career. It would completely change the course of the season for me individually if I can eliminate extreme lows.”
While 2014 was a disappointment for Granderson overall, he said there were also some positives aspects of the season. Granderson liked how he “continued to battle” after a poor start in April, and how he was able to mentor first baseman Lucas Duda.
“Just talking to Duda, giving him confidence. Him realizing he’s one of the best hitters in the game. I really enjoy doing that.”
Like many other Mets players this winter, Granderson is very optimistic about the upcoming season.
“I’m extremely excited,” Granderson said. “I want to be on a winner and I feel like we have a team that can do that.”
