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Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Agreement Reached In Yanks, Tigers, D’Backs Blockbuster

Breaker…

Heyman tweets that an agreement has been reached, with only medicals pending. We’ll do a fresh post once this trade is official. To reiterate: the Yankees get Curtis Granderson, the D’Backs get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy, and the Tigers get Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke.

Sherman notes that the Yankees managed to pull off the Granderson acquisition without giving up Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, or Mike Dunn.

Repoz Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:13 PM | 221 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: arizona, tigers, yankees

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1. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:18 PM (#3406890)

I guess the Yankees really are cutting payroll. What does garnderson make, like $4 million? No one in their right mind could think he's better than Damon.

2. 1k5v3L

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:18 PM (#3406891)

So, can someone explain to me why all seven Dbacks season ticket holders should be happy about this trade?
They way I see it, Yankees get the best deal, then the Tigers, and the Dbacks are just... hoping for something?

3. HGM Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:20 PM (#3406897)

The Yankees got a steal. The D'Backs screwed up.

4. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:21 PM (#3406898)

Actually, I don't think the DBacks did too badly. The tigers are the ones who are getting screwed IMO.

5. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:22 PM (#3406900)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (deep breath) OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (gasp) OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

6. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:22 PM (#3406901)

Also, I'm a bit bummed about losing Austin Jackson. I guess the yankees are scared of that strikeout rate.

7. aleskel

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:23 PM (#3406902)

not a terrible move for the DBacks if they think they can compete next year.

8. SteveF Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:23 PM (#3406903)

Would anyone in their right mind think Granderson is better than Melky and/or Gardner? Granderson is the solution to CF, isn't he? They're still going to buy Holliday.

9. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:23 PM (#3406905)

Already said it...but, really this is perhaps the only sports news that could dampen the fact that my Alabama Crimson Tide are playing for a national title.

I hate it, absolutely hate it. We get Cameron Maybin back at least.

10. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3406906)

Austin Jackson is kind of a poor-man's cross between Torii Hunter and Granderson.
Now excuse me...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

11. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3406907)

I too agree that the Tigers got the least. The DBacks got a solid MLB starter, another guy with good back of the rotation promise. What did the Tigers get? Phil Coke, a toolsy outfield prospect who has trouble making contact, and some guys I never heard of.

12. aleskel

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3406908)

Also, I'm a bit bummed about losing Austin Jackson. I guess the yankees are scared of that strikeout rate

Same here. But hey, Granderson!

If I'm the Yanks, I'm putting Brett Gardner on the trading block yesterday.

13. you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM (#3406911)

why would michael dunn be a loss worth mentioning alongside the likes of phil hughes and joba chamberlain?

14. Jose Can Still Seabiscuit Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM (#3406913)

Disagree with #4 completely. What's in this for the D-Backs? Unless I'm misreading this it's Schlereth and Scherzer for Jackson and Kennedy. To me Jackson/Scherzer is a wash at best (I'd rather have Scherzer but I've always been a fan) and Kennedy doesn't do a thing for me. It's not bad for the Tigers who I think get a little better on the mound and Austin Jackson has a pretty decent chance to be a good player.

15. aleskel

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM (#3406914)

What did the Tigers get? Phil Coke, a toolsy outfield prospect who has trouble making contact, and some guys I never heard of.

at least they'll get marginal more coverage from ESPN!

16. Weekly Journalist_ Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM (#3406915)

Thinking about it more, going for the cost controlled 29 year old is probably a better bet than reupping with Damon for 2-$20 or whatever. Certainly improves the defense. Does Granderson play left or center? If he plays center, and Melky/Gardner become spare parts, they still need a left fielder.

17. JJ1986 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM (#3406916)

why would michael dunn be a loss worth mentioning alongside the likes of phil hughes and joba chamberlain?

Driving up his value before they trade him for Halladay.

18. spycake Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:25 PM (#3406917)

I think the Yankees gave up the least and quite likely got the most in return here.

19. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM (#3406919)

When did Mike Dunn become something the Yankees are not willing to give up. Mike Dunn? He's 24 and doesn't have a damn clue where the ball is going.

OTOH, I don't think much of anyone they gave up, Granderson is a solid player so woo-hoo!

20. SteveM. Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM (#3406920)

Every Inge Counts-ROLLLLLLLLL TIDEEEEEEE!!!
Alabama grad here.

21. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM (#3406921)

Would anyone in their right mind think Granderson is better than Melky and/or Gardner?

Is there a three letter word that starts with 'n' and ends with 't' missing after 'is' and before 'better'?

Having said that, it's Curtis Granderson for cryin' out loud. Nice player, but he sure as hell shouldn't cost you a Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes.

22. Gern Blanston Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM (#3406922)

What did the Tigers get? Phil Coke, a toolsy outfield prospect who has trouble making contact, and some guys I never heard of.

Scherzer's a nice addition. It wouldn't surprise me if he's better than Jackson next year.

23. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:26 PM (#3406923)

What the hell am I gonna do now? Well, I guess Granderson joins Rivera as a Yankee not even I can hate.

24. Honkie Kong Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:27 PM (#3406924)

and some guys I never heard of.

Missed the boat on Max Scherzer? Might end up being the best player in the deal. If not as a starter, then as a lights out closer.

25. Famous Original Joe C Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:27 PM (#3406925)

Also, I'm a bit bummed about losing Austin Jackson. I guess the yankees are scared of that strikeout rate.

As well they should be. Way to sell high on that one before the shine totally came off.

26. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:27 PM (#3406926)

Ironically, I think Granderson might be in China right now doing his annual clinics.

"Hey, welcome back, Curtis. Oh, you were traded to the Yankees."

27. Eric P. Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3406927)

I too agree that the Tigers got the least. The DBacks got a solid MLB starter, another guy with good back of the rotation promise. What did the Tigers get? Phil Coke, a toolsy outfield prospect who has trouble making contact, and some guys I never heard of.

Scherzer's struck out 240 batters over 226 big league IP and he's just heading into his age 25 season. He's also got pretty decent control, though is homer prone (which Comerica should help). He's the key to the trade for Detroit.

28. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3406928)

This is insane. I can't believe the Yankees got Granderson for that pile. ####.

29. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3406929)

Daniel Schlereth is Mark Schlereth's kid, right?

30. SteveF Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3406930)

Is there a three letter word that starts with 'n' and ends with 't' missing after 'is' and before 'better'?

I was responding to #1. Everyone in their right mind thinks Granderson is an upgrade to the Yankees centerfield situation. I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would assume that he is ticketed for left field. The Yankees are still going to buy their left fielder.

Also, I think everyone got something out of this trade. It looks fairly even to me, depending on what your opinion of Scherzer vs. Edwin Jackson is.

Austin Jackson is a lottery ticket of course. Guys with low contact rates are scary as prospects if you are expecting them to actually hit.

31. Angel (Pagan) of Harlem Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:29 PM (#3406931)

Scherzer is the best player in this deal. 174 K's in 170 IP last year at the age of 24. Granderson slugged .274 against lefties last year.

32. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:29 PM (#3406932)

Every Inge Counts-ROLLLLLLLLL TIDEEEEEEE!!!
Alabama grad here.

Same here...at least I got that to look forward to since baseball now sucks.

33. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:29 PM (#3406933)

Daniel Schlereth is Mark Schlereth's kid, right?

Yes.

34. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:30 PM (#3406935)

Does Austin Jackson strike out that much compared to Granderson?

35. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:30 PM (#3406936)

When did Mike Dunn become something the Yankees are not willing to give up.

I'm guessing it was just a matter of not wanting to give up two LOOGYs in the same trade.

36. you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:30 PM (#3406937)

I too agree that the Tigers got the least. The DBacks got a solid MLB starter, another guy with good back of the rotation promise. What did the Tigers get? Phil Coke, a toolsy outfield prospect who has trouble making contact, and some guys I never heard of.

max scherzer is basically a less proven edwin jackson. scherzer is just 10 months younger, but he's got basically the same profile.

which is what makes the diamondbacks the losers in this deal. jackson's only got 2 years of team control left, while scherzer's under control for another 5. this isn't really an upgrade for them, though i guess it does lessen the risk, since scherzer's mechanics are a lot more likely to result in his arm falling off than jackson's are.

considering jackson and scherzer as near equals, trading schlereth for ian kennedy seems like a much bigger risk than is necessary, when also taking into account the service time argument.

37. APNY Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:30 PM (#3406938)

I thought it was a steal with Dunn included. Great trade for Yanks.

Granderson did kinda suck last year. What happened?

38. HGM Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:30 PM (#3406939)

Scherzer and Jackson are similar at this point, except Scherzer is under team control for longer, is cheaper, and has more upside. There's no way I would give up Scherzer and Schlereth for Jackson and Kennedy. It's a wash AT BEST in terms of performance, with Jackson being more expensive and closer to free agency.

39. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:31 PM (#3406941)

I think Jackson is being underrated. His trend lines over the last three years are excellent, and he's still only 26. Even if he's not really a 125 ERA+ or above pitcher, there's a good chance he'll give the DBacks 200 innings at 110-120 ERA+, which is quite valuable. And it's possible that he'll continue to improve.

EDIT: Although, to be fair, I might be underrating Scherzer.

40. Liver of blaspheming 'zop Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:31 PM (#3406942)

Mike Dunn has a K-rate of 12/9IP in the high minors, and he's left-handed. I don't care if he doesn't have a ####### clue where the ball is going (and he doesn't), anyone with that K rate at those levels is a real prospect.

41. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:31 PM (#3406944)

Granderson did kinda suck last year. What happened?

His splits tell the story.

42. Gern Blanston Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:32 PM (#3406947)

I think Jackson is being underrated. His trend lines over the last three years are excellent, and he's still only 26. Even if he's not really a 125 ERA+ or above pitcher, there's a good chance he'll give the DBacks 200 innings at 110-120 ERA+, which is quite valuable. And it's possible that he'll continue to improve.

Scherzer's likely to do the same, and as others have pointed out, he's not even arb eligible yet. Unless you're convinced he's a bad injury risk and Jackson isn't, Scherzer-Jackson's a win for the Tigers.

43. rconn23 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:32 PM (#3406948)

Jackson hit four homeruns in AAA last year. FOUR. Great kid and all, but come on...

Coke is a fungible reliever and no one outisde of Yankee fans think of Kennedy as anything more than a No. 4 or No. 5 guy - at best.

Even with Granderson's pronounced platoon split, it's a great deal for the Yankees.

Now spin Melky away for something semi-valuable before his OPS hits the .600s again next year.

44. cercopithecus aethiops Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406949)

Does Austin Jackson strike out that much compared to Granderson?

Not much I guess. But he has no power compared to Granderson.

45. Paxton Crawford Ranch Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406951)

What the hell was Arizona thinking trading 5 cheap seasons of Scherzer for 2 expensive seasons of Jackson? In 226.1 innings at age 23-24 he's got a 9.5 k/9, 3.3 bb/9, and 1.0 hr/9. Jackson, even in far and away the best season of his MLB career posted 6.8 k/9, 2.9 bb/9, and 1.1 hr/9. And they gave up one of the better lefty relief prospects in the game! But hey, at least they got Ian Kennedy back...

46. Famous Original Joe C Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406950)

Does Austin Jackson strike out that much compared to Granderson?

Roughly as much, except without the power. Good luck!

47. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406952)

Wow, Arizona got hosed.

48. Gern Blanston Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406953)

Now spin Melky away for something semi-valuable before his OPS hits the .600s again next year.

Great--now that Granderson's off the table, the Cubs'll probably bite on Melky. Saw it rumored that they were interested in him. If that's true, god knows why.

49. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406954)

So,

Yankees get Granderson for AJackson, Kennedy and Coke
Tigers get Scherzer, Schlereth, AJackson and Coke for Granderson and EJackson
D'Backs get EJackson and Kennedy for Scherzer and Schlereth

I can see this for Detroit, if they need to save money. It all depends on their evaluation of Jackson. Scherzer, AJackson and Schlereth were all top 100 type prospects and Scherzer had a very good 2009. Scherzer is probably as good as Jackson right now, and cheaper with more years of team control. Schlereth and Coke are nice arms for the pen. If Jackson can take over CF within a year, and they use the $$ to keep Verlander, it will work out OK.

I don't really get this for Arizona. I'd rather have Scherzer than EJackson, and Kennedy/Schlereth is at best a small upgrade, if they need the SP.

Oh, and solid deal for the Yankees.

50. Eric P. Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:34 PM (#3406956)

FWIW, Buster Olney's report on ESPN has no mention of Schlereth being involved. He has it as the Tigers getting Scherzer/A-Jax/Coke, Arizona getting Jackson/Kennedy & the Yankees getting Granderson.

51. Danny Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:35 PM (#3406960)

Scherzer > Jackson, even before considering service time and salary.

And it was the D-Backs pushing this deal? They must really like Kennedy.

52. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:36 PM (#3406961)

"What the hell was Arizona thinking trading 5 cheap seasons of Scherzer for 2 expensive seasons of Jackson?"

"Ah, delicious paste!"

53. spycake Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:36 PM (#3406963)

Yankees get Curtis Granderson for Ian Kennedy, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke

Tigers get Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke for Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson

D-Backs get Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy for Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth

Yankees gave up very little, and received a very good cheap player. Tigers gave up a lot, and didn't get an overwhelming return. Arizona gave up quite a bit too, when you consider that Jackson is starting to get expensive, and Scherzer is of comparable quality with less service time.

54. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:37 PM (#3406965)

Does Austin Jackson strike out that much compared to Granderson?

About the same, bearing in mind we're comparing Granderson's rate in the Majors to Jackson's in the minors.

55. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:37 PM (#3406966)

Verlander trade rumors start in 5, 4, 3, 2...

56. franoscar Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:37 PM (#3406967)

This is not good. This is bad. This is very bad. If I were a Yankees fan I would be very happy. The Yankees have all the money in the world so how do they also get the good&affordable;players? If I were a Diamondbacks fan I would be very happy. But I'm a Tigers fan. I don't know what they are doing! They need to get rid of that idiot manager, not the players who play hard & play well!

57. base ball chick Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:38 PM (#3406968)

this is too depressing for words

why do teams want to give up their cheap young players to the yankees? i don't understand how either the dbax or tigers benefit from giving away their CF and second best cheap young pitcher

58. NJ in NY Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:39 PM (#3406970)

Good Deal for: Tigers, Yankees

Bad Deal for: D-Backs

Why were the D-Backs the ones pushing this (bad stuff)?

59. Norcan Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:39 PM (#3406972)

Austin Jackson is kind of a poor-man's cross between Torii Hunter and Granderson.
Now excuse me...

Huh? Granderson and Hunter both have plus tools in their defense and power. Jackson's said to have zero plus tools. Average power, projected to maybe one day hit 15-20, solid but not great defense in center, slightly above average speed. It certainly makes him the poorer man to those two but he shouldn't be discussed in a comparison in the first place absent plus tools. His write up and stats make him more like Marlon Byrd than a regrettable trade chip.

60. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:40 PM (#3406973)

Bad Deal for:

Me. America. Humanity.

61. Greg Goosen at 30 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:41 PM (#3406976)

Yankee hyping of their minor league players pays off again

62. Gold Star for Robothal Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:43 PM (#3406978)

The Yankees gave up almost nothing, and got Granderson, who needs a platoon partner.

The Tigers get Scherzer, who I think is the most valuable property in the deal, and is a slight improvement on Jackson for cheaper. They also get a back of the bullpen arm in Schlereth, a decent but extremely unremarkable bullpen dude in Coke, and a vastly overrated OF prospect in Austin Jackson (no way is he Maybin 2.0; at best, he's Felix Pie last year).

The D-Backs may have picked up a #2 starter and #5 starter in Jackson and Kennedy. I have a hard time believing they're better off with these two than w/ Scherzer & Schlereth (I see Scherzer as a slightly better pitcher than Jackson).

Considering money, I think the Tigers got the best deal: shaved off a couple of contracts that were going to balloon, and got a return that is at least the equal of what they sent, talent-wise.

The Yankees do great immediately, but Granderson strikes me as the sort of guy who'll do well for a season, and will then be signed to a five year deal that looks like an albatross by year three.

I am struggling to see the D-Backs' angle, unless they believe Jackson is a future legit ace.

63. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:44 PM (#3406979)

The Tigers were asking for the moon and stars supposedly for Granderson, instead they got a flaming bag of dog ####.

The Tigers aren't going to make up what Granderson meant to the team off the field. Perhaps they can have a "Drink with Miggy" every Friday night.

64. Norcan Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:44 PM (#3406980)

I don't think it's that bad of a deal for Arizona. It's not like they gave up a ransom. It's pretty much a lateral move as far as talent. Edwin is only two years older than Scherzer and yeah he's going to be more expensive and his prior struggles still make him iffy but he could certainly be better than Scherzer. And I would take Kennedy as a potentially solid back end starter over Schlereth.

65. spycake Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:45 PM (#3406981)

From a Yankee-hater's perspective, this is probably even worse than the Nick Swisher giveaway last winter.

66. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:46 PM (#3406982)

The Yankees do great immediately, but Granderson strikes me as the sort of guy who'll do well for a season, and will then be signed to a five year deal that looks like an albatross by year three.

He's under contract for the next 3 years ($5.5, $8.25, $10 + an option for $13 with $2 buyout for '13) so the Yankees won't have that problem.

67. andrewberg Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:46 PM (#3406983)

It's also possible that the D-Backs are worried about Scherzer's health. If they don't believe he can stay on the mound, I can imagine them preferring a player like Jackson who seems to be relatively less risky.

68. TVerik Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:48 PM (#3406987)

How many runs worse than Melkner is Cougerand in CF?

69. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:48 PM (#3406988)

Why were the D-Backs the ones pushing this (bad stuff)?

That's my question. Seems pointless for them, unless they really love Kennedy.

I like Scherzer a lot. 25 y.o. <1 year of service time, a 9.5 K/9, 2.8 K/B in 226 MLB IP, and mLB numbers to back that up. That's a very nice pitcher.

Edwin Jackson is not as good, and has over 3 yrs. service time.

70. robinred

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:48 PM (#3406989)

Where is levski?

71. Cowboy Popup Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:49 PM (#3406991)

Awesome, not only do they get Granderson for a couple of guys who will probably never be more than average players, they get rid of Phil Coke. Man, what a worthless piece of crap that ###### turned out to be. I wonder what the hell Girardi is going to do when a left hander comes up to bat after the 6th inning.

72. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:49 PM (#3406992)

I wonder what the hell Girardi is going to do when a left hander comes up to bat after the 6th inning.

Marte?

73. zonk Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:49 PM (#3406993)

"What the hell was Arizona thinking trading 5 cheap seasons of Scherzer for 2 expensive seasons of Jackson?"

"Ah, delicious paste!"

Heh... that's good.

Seriously, though -- let me add my agreement that Max Scherzer is the top player moving anywhere in this deal. Someone will have to explain why that makes sense for the DBacks. I don't get the Granderson love - he's a fine player, a nice guy, and if MLB outlawed left-handed pitching, he'd be a star... but so far as I know, LHP is still legal so he's basically a great strong-side platoon player that can't even fake it against lefties.

Still, I guess the Yankees only gave up their usual Ricky Ledee-type flotsam to get him.

74. TVerik Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:50 PM (#3406995)

I wonder what the hell Girardi is going to do when a left hander comes up to bat after the 6th inning.

Bring Robertson out of the bullpen, then pull him immediately.

75. Tripon Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:50 PM (#3406997)

Has it been mentioned yet why the D'backs sold low for Mad Max?

76. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:51 PM (#3407001)

I wonder what the hell Girardi is going to do when a left hander comes up to bat after the 6th inning.

Sherman notes that the Yankees managed to pull off the Granderson acquisition without giving up Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, or Mike Dunn.

On the plus side, that will give us someone new to curse at next season.

77. DanG Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:52 PM (#3407002)

Granderson isn't the player he was two or three years ago. A solid platoon guy, which might keep him from fading down the stretch. Losing speed but should be able to handle CF for a couple more years. Good citizen, good player, cheap; not anyone who's gonna hurt you but not a difference maker either.

78. Home Run Teal & Black Black Black Gone! Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:53 PM (#3407005)

The Yankees aren't supposed to be smart. They're supposed to be big dumb gorilla brutes who turn on the money hose. When they're outsmarting teams too, things are going to get ugly quick in the AL.

79. aleskel

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:54 PM (#3407008)

Good citizen, good player, cheap; not anyone who's gonna hurt you but not a difference maker either

Will he be better than Melky/Gardner? I think that's a difference if there ever was one.

80. DL from MN Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:54 PM (#3407009)

Damn, Cashman is a good GM. It helps that he has all the resources he could ask for, but the Yankees continually win trades.

81. Gamingboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:55 PM (#3407010)

The Yankees aren't supposed to be smart. They're supposed to be big dumb gorilla brutes who turn on the money hose. When they're outsmarting teams too, things are going to get ugly quick in the AL.

If you are reading this, you are the resistance.

82. base ball chick Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:55 PM (#3407012)

levski is probably over in the men's room, screaming lots of swear words

along with the rest of us who hate the yankees like poison.

well, i'm not in the men's room. and i'm not yelling because it would scare the Dogss and the baby. and because i'm too depressed to yell

83. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:56 PM (#3407013)

Detroit fans: The word you need to know is heterochromia. Pronounced HET-er-oh-CROW-me-uh.

84. RMc and His Roster of Rubbish Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:57 PM (#3407015)

So the Tigers give up two of their best players for a handful of a magic beans. Lord have mercy.

I'll stick with the prediction I made after the 2006 World Series: the Tigers will not return to the Series in the next ten years. No, make it twenty.

85. AROM Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:57 PM (#3407016)

Nice deal for the Yankees. I'd play the Melky in left, Granderson in center sometimes, with Gardner CF, Granderson LF otherwise. I don't see the need for a left field signing unless the Yankees are in the market for Holliday. Any other free agent option, even Bay or Damon, will cost you in defense what you gain in offense. Granderson does need a platoon partner though.

86. spycake Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:58 PM (#3407017)

Granderson's got a lot of talent, and could be the type to thrive with the protection of the Yankees batting order. Plus he's still on the right side of 30 and affordably signed long-term.

Granderson and Swisher are not the kind of guys that teams should be sending to the Yankees for middling prospects!

87. Paxton Crawford Ranch Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:58 PM (#3407019)

I like Scherzer a lot. 25 y.o. <1 year of service time

Scherzer's got 1+ years of service time. Cot's still hasn't updated to include last year for some reason. They've got him at 79 days, which I don't think will be enough to make him a super-2.

88. rconn23 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:59 PM (#3407021)

"Good citizen, good player, cheap; not anyone who's gonna hurt you but not a difference maker either."

Well, he did hit 31 home runs despite playing half his games in a pitcher's park. And had an .861 OPS away from Comerica.

He's not a perfect player by any stretch, but despite his down year, he's worlds better than Melky/Gardner.

89. Tom Nawrocki Posted: December 08, 2009 at 08:59 PM (#3407023)

"Phil Coke" is the best baseball name in the deal. Highly underrated name. "Max Scherzer" is the second best, and would rate more highly if it didn't sound made up.

90. tfbg9 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:01 PM (#3407026)

If they let Damon walk, getting Granderson allows the MFY's to get a bit younger as well. Which has to be on
Cashman's mind, you'd think.

91. TVerik Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:01 PM (#3407027)

I'd hit Curtis ninth, or maybe sixth, in the Yankee order.

92. pkb33 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:01 PM (#3407028)

Would anyone in their right mind think Granderson is better than Melky and/or Gardner?

"People who follow baseball closely" probably defines the group who would.

Nice pickup for Yankees; strange deal for AZ, unless there is something in Scherzer's health profile that is particularly troubling. Detroit cuts payroll and gets a lot more future, so that's a play that can make sense.

93. rconn23 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3407029)

"I wonder what the hell Girardi is going to do when a left hander comes up to bat after the 6th inning."

You did see Marte in the playoffs, right?

94. tfbg9 Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3407030)

Granderson's 2009 vs RHP was in line with his norm--but for some reason he was allowed about 200 PA's against
lefties. And he sucked badly.

95. Norcan Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3407031)

I wouldn't play Melkey and Gardner at left. They're ahead of the game by having power at center but if they play those two at left, they'd be giving their advantage back. No amount of defense from left field of all places makes up for how below average they would be offensively. Damon is so much better offensively than Cabrera or Gardner that defense, in left field!!, doesn't compensate.

96. madvillain Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3407032)

This is a steal for the Yankees. I think Curtis is being under-rated here. How is a solid defensive CF, in the prime of his career, making peanuts, with a a career OPS+ of 113 not better than trotting out two guys who are barely above replacement level in any given year?

The Yankees are now being run efficiently, which scares the heck out of me.

97. attaboy Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3407033)

Verlander gone... I thought this means that Cabrera is gone. Who needs Cabrera on a team that won't win now. Verlander should be a building block for years. Of course, I never want to trade a stud pitcher, they are too hard to find and Cabrera will cost lots more for the next 2-3 years. Also, why does everyone put so much stock into what a player did one year. Granderson is very good, one bad year aside. I like his long term value, if he manages to figure out lefties, he is gold. Big win for the Yanks...little win for the tigers getting the second best player back and a loss for the diamondbacks. Really, how can this be a loss for the tigers if they could not afford the team they had...you have to sell off!

98. Dingbat_Charlie

Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:02 PM (#3407034)

Driving up his value before they trade him for Halladay.

Hopefully Alex the Anthropologist is better at prospect evaluation than the D-bax or anybody that drinks the Austin Jackson egg nog.

99. zonk Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:03 PM (#3407035)

Does service time matter?

I was under the impression Scherzer signed an MLB contract that essentially covered what would have been his arb years.

BTW - just because everyone seems to be forgetting them, let me post Granderson's lifetime numbers against LHP:

.210/.270./.344... plus 169 Ks in 685 PAs.

He's lovely against RHP, but the man simply sucks something awful against lefties.

100. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: December 08, 2009 at 09:09 PM (#3407043)

Scherzer is a good player, and it's certainly possible that the DBacks are getting screwed here (or, at best, made a pointless move), but I don't like this for the Tigers because they basically gave up Jackson AND Granderson for Scherzer. That doesn't seem like a good deal to me.

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Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Agreement Reached In Yanks, Tigers, D’Backs Blockbuster

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