Will New York Yankees’ Outfielder Curtis Granderson Leave The Bronx For Queens?

On Monday, New York Yankees’ outfielder Curtis Granderson was offered a qualifying offer by the team for 1 year, $14.1 million. He has until Monday to decide whether or not he is going to accept that offer or become a free agent. If the “Grandy Man” does leave, the Yankees would receive a compensatory in this year’s MLB Draft.

On MLB Trade Rumors, they unveiled their top 50 free agents along with predictions on which team would sign those players. When reading that list, I found it interesting that Granderson was predicted to stay in New York, but with the Mets instead of the Yankees.

According to Anthony McCaron of the New York Daily News’ article on Sunday, Granderson’s agent, Matt Brown said that it is possible that his client will accept the offer. That possibility could make Granderson a more covetable free agent next offseason since he only played in 40 games last year due to hit-by-pitch injuries.

Yankee Stadium has brought numerous benefits to the former center fielder considering he had two straight 40+ home run seasons in 2011-2012, but the one criticism of Granderson is the high strikeout totals (433 strikeouts) and his boom-or-bust mentality at the plate.

Sep 25, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson (14) singles to right center during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. (Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

We have seen the possiblity of the Grandy Man returning to either one of his hometown teams: the Chicago Cubs or the Chicago White Sox. However, the New York Mets could be a possiblity. Tim Dierkes of MLBTR said that the Mets are an option because they “have to come away with some kind of decent outfielder, and Granderson is capable of playing all three positions.”

I couldn’t see general manager Sandy Alderson forfeiting a first round pick for Granderson. However, I do think if Granderson went to play at Citi Field, a change in ballpark dimension could help him return to the doubles/triples hitter he was at Comerica Park. To get some insight from the Mets’ perspective, I spoke with Daniel Abriano, the editor of Rising Apple, on what he views about the Mets and Granderson.

"“With the Mets expected to have roughly $40 million to spend this offseason on external players, the potential of Curtis Granderson winding up in Queens shouldn’t come as a surprise.  While Granderson missed the majority of 2013 due to freak injuries, and although his power would likely take a hit if he plays half of his home games at Citi Field, signing him wouldn’t be a bad move for the Mets (if the deal is no longer than three years).  However, that doesn’t mean Granderson is at the top of my wish list.  I’d place Shin-Soo Choo, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carlos Beltran ahead of him.”"