Yankees Rumors: Could they reunite with Curtis Granderson?

With Aaron Judge out for the next three to four weeks with a fractured wrist, the Yankees could still look to add another outfielder before tomorrow’s trade deadline. They lack depth right now in their outfield, but a move to reunite with former Yankee Curtis Granderson could fix that problem.

Even without Judge and Gary Sanchez the Yankees still have enough offensive firepower in their lineup to win. They don’t necessarily need to add another bat, but if they can add an experienced veteran like Granderson to fill in until Judge returns he could certainly help them.

Right now, Giancarlo Stanton is the everyday right fielder with Judge out and Neil Walker is getting the majority of the at-bats at DH. Walker is swinging the bat great of late so he’ll continue to get consistent at-bats but that leaves the Yankees with a very light hitting bench. Their fourth outfielder right now is journeyman Shane Robinson who was batting .260 with 0 home runs at Triple-A Scranton before his recent call-up.

He homered on Saturday, but the Yankees really can’t expect much offense from the 33-year old Robinson and his career .228 average. They also aren’t getting much from backup catcher Kyle Higashioka and Tyler Wade, who continues to look overmatched with the bat at the big league level.

With Clint Frazier still on the DL at Triple-A with post-concussion migraines there’s no telling when he might return. He would be been the best option to replace Judge on the roster and be the team’s fourth outfielder, but unfortunately for him, he might not even make it back before Judge.

Hopefully, Frazier can return sometime soon, but in the meantime, the Yankees could look to add the veteran Granderson give them more depth off the bench and in their outfield.

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As Jon Heyman of Fancred noted the Yankees would prefer a rightie bat with Sanchez and Judge both out, but is there anyone available? Adam Jones is on the trade market, but he would cost the Yanks more prospects and he also has a no-trade clause and it sounds like he wants to stay in Baltimore.

Granderson would be easy to acquire because his contract is cheap and he wouldn’t cost the Yankees any mid to high-level prospects to get him. He’s also a free agent at season’s end so the Blue Jays would definitely trade him. He’s not a part of their future and if he was dealt they could give more playing time to some of their younger players from here on out.

Granderson’s numbers this year aren’t great as he nears the twilight of his career at 37 years old, but we all know his swing is perfect for Yankee Stadium. He hit 115 home runs over four seasons with the Yanks and his 10 homers so far this season show that he’s still got some pop left in his bat.

If he came back to the Yankees it wouldn’t be in an everyday role which is why it makes a lot of sense. He can play both corner outfield positions when needed and he can also DH against right-handed starters.

The Yankees don’t want to overwork Brett Gardner down the stretch or while Judge is out so letting Granderson fill in for him on certain days could be a way to keep him fresh. Granderson could also fill in for Hicks and Stanton and allow Aaron Boone to give one of them a half day at DH from time to time.

A move for Granderson would obviously be a short-term fix, given the timing of Judge’s injury but it’s a low-risk move that could help the Yankees over the next month at a crucial part of their season. They’d be adding a great clubhouse guy who has experience playing in a pennant race and a player Yankee fans would welcome back with open arms.