I used to like you, Curtis Granderson. Now I don't know how I feel. You're a Yankee, dude. A Yankee:
Curtis Granderson is the Yankees’ new center fielder, coming over from the Detroit Tigers in a three-way deal that also included the Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal, which is pending approval of medical records, will send outfielder Austin Jackson and reliever Phil Coke to Detroit and starter Ian Kennedy to Arizona.
The Diamondbacks will also receive starter Edwin Jackson from the Tigers, who will also get starter Max Scherzer and reliever Daniel Schlereth from Arizona.
The acquisition of Granderson, who turns 29 in March, gives the Yankees a younger alternative to Johnny Damon, 36, who is a free agent. The Yankees have no interest in giving Damon a three-year deal, but they were comfortable with a three-year commitment to Granderson, who is owed $25.75 million through 2012.
No doubt, Granderson is a really good player. He's going to give the Yankees another good bat and a pretty good outfield glove, too.
But the bigger question is: what do the Red Sox do now? In my opinion, nothing has to happen.
Will Carrol, aka The Injury Freaking King, tweets the following question:Do red sox have to answer the granderson deal? Some are saying yes and quick and big.
Theo Epstein doesn't play the game of "let's make a move because the Yankees made a move." He's over that. He's past that. Theo Epstein builds the Boston Red Sox team to how he sees is the best fit. He builds them for 95 wins or more to get into the playoffs. He's not going to spend a lot of money or give up a lot of talented prospects just because the Yankees have made a move. Essentially, he's bigger than the rivalry.
With that said, WEEI has a few ideas for what the Sox could do to counter the Yanks' move (WEEI also mentions the Sox contacted the Tigers about Granderson, but soon found out they didn't have a solid match):
The effort to deal Granderson (and Edwin Jackson) offers fairly compelling evidence that the Tigers are indeed in a cost-cutting phase. That being the case, it is natural to wonder whether the team might make Miguel Cabrera available.
To date, according to a major-league source, there is no evidence that the Tigers are dangling the hitter extraordinaire (Cabrera hit .324 with a .396 OPS and .942 OPS, all among the best marks in the American League last year). Moreover, given Detroit’s interest in receiving major-league ready pieces — and, especially, position players — the possibility of a deal that might send Cabrera to the Red Sox seems far-fetched at this point (and that is without considering the concerns about the first baseman’s weight and off-field indiscretions).
Of course, there remains the possibility that economic realities at some point might force the Tigers to deal a player who has six years and $126 million remaining on his contract. But for now, there hasn’t been evidence that Detroit is looking to move the four-time All-Star.
I used to be a big fan of the Cabrera to Boston idea. Then all that "off-field indescretions" stuff popped up and he became tainted. No doubt he is an amazing baseball player. He's naturally gifted and has potential to go down as one of the best ever. But what kind of baggage does he bring to the team? Maybe Theo & Co. think they could whip him into shape -- mentally and physically -- ala Bill Belichick. I'm all for it if that's their gameplan.
Cabrera's bat in the middle of the Sox's lineup would be amazing. Part of me thinks it would be reminiscent of Manny Ramirez's days in Boston. Unfortunately, that means both the good and bad of having Manny in Boston.
As nice as it sounds, just because Granderson is in New York doesn't mean Cabrera has to be in Boston.
But I'm not 100 percent against it, either.