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Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson


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- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 2, 2009
October 20, 2009 1:57 pm

We all witnessed Curtis' regression this year as far as his avg. was concerned.  (.249 in '09.  Down .031 from 2008, and .023 off his career avg. of .272.  It may be hard to believe but he brought his vareer strikeout percentage down this season with 141 K's in 631 ab's.  It now is at 24 %)
We also saw his struggles against lefthanded pitching. (A .183 BA.  By far the worst of any member of the '09 TigersJeff Larish, Don Kelly, Brent Dlugach, Dusty Ryan and Matt Treanor all had very small samples.  Only 2 of his 30 hr's came against lefties.)  It became such an issue that Leyland was forced to sacrifice defense for the posibility of offense at one of the most important positions on the field.  While Ryan Raburn did produce at the plate, he clearly isn't a worthy replacement for Granderson's defense.  With an offense as inconsistant as Detroit's was it isn't hard to see how that decision was made.
A sub-.250 BA is not leadoff material.  Especially when Granderson was 2nd on the Tigers in Hr's with 30 this past season.  Moving forward, where do you guys see Curtis settleing in the lineup? 
And where do you see his career going?
Will he regain his avg. and extra-base potential while continueing to steal bases?  Or is he starting to slip heading into the final season of his 20's?  Or do any of you see #28 being dealt while DD may be able to get a fair amount of talent in return?

Go Tigers!
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 15, 2008
October 20, 2009 2:42 pm

I don't think Dombrowski will unload Granderson for at least the next 2 seasons.

He's a P.R. dream and excels in every facet of the game, except batting average.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 12, 2007
October 20, 2009 2:55 pm

Dealing Granderson is unlikely. If they can they will move him down to 6th in the lineup. They do need to find a different leadoff hitter. If Sizemore plays 2B next season he is a possiblity. His combined OBP this year was .389 with 95 Ks in 520 ABs. I'm not sure what Leyland would think about batting a rookie leadoff. Bringing in a RF with speed to push Ordonez to DH is also a possibility. It wouldn't be Wilkin Ramirez. His OBP and Strikeout rates are worse than Grandersons.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 2, 2009
October 20, 2009 4:10 pm

I don't see DD moving Curtis Granderson either.  Here's why I don't see it happening.

1:  His defensive ability would be missed.  He's top 3-5 in the AL as far as patrolling centerfield goes.  Tori Hunter and Grady Sizemore are the only things holding him back from being Gold Glove caliber.

2: Like it was stated above, he's a PR dream.  A good natured person, one of a handful of college grads in the MLB, from the Mid-West, with loving parents who promoted education above Athletics.  Curtis is obviosly coachable, and a fan favorite.  Two things that aren't easy to come by.  If he's not the most popular guy on the roster, only Brandon Inge is more beloved.  Who does your Grandma love more?  "They just both seem like such nice young men!"- my Grandma Kay.

3: He's a 5-tool player.  His power is still developing.  Not that long ago he hit over .300. He is great in the field, with an above average arm.  And is the best, if not only, base-stealing player on the roster.  If not for his poor season avg. wise, he's be a top 3 player on the team in basically every category.

4: Getting a player, or several players, who could impact the team as he does in return would be difficult.  Dave would have to find a trading partner who is willing to ship a 20 something player with speed and power who also plays defense.  Teams usually like to hold onto guys with those skill sets.  If for some reason the Marlins felt like dealing Hanley Ramirez, the Mets wanted to part ways with Jose Reyes, the Rays wanted to trade Carl Crawford or the Orioles were done with Adam Jones then DD would have to listen.  It's a biased opinion to put CG in that category of player, but when it come down to value to his team, he's in an elite group of guys.

I'd like to see Curtis move down to 3rd or 5th in the lineup.  The only reason I say 3rd would be to have his speed in front of Miguel Cabrera.  His stolen base #'s would be hard to maintain at either spot in the lineup due to Planco not hitting behind him.  But, Placido Polanco might not be hitting behind him next season even if Curtis continues leading off.  (we'll talk about that later) Having him hit in the middle (we all talked about this during the season) would be to let his power hitting continue to develop.  We'd see less solo shots and more 2 or 3 run innings.  Something the '09 team could have really benefitted from.

As far as Curtis' career goes, I see him regaining some of the avg. we saw several years ago.  But I  don't really see him ever being a .300 hitter.  .280 with 25 Hr's 20sb's 35 dbl's and 90 rbi on a consistant basis would be great.  (15 sb's in 3 or 4 years is more likely) None of those stats are unattainable for him.

To me, Wilkin Ramirez would be a great guy to package in a deal for someone who can hit leadoff, either a leftfielder, or shortstop.  He's young and has speed and power, which every team likes to collect.  But his strikeout rate is not something the Tigers don't need when they already have Granderson and Inge filling two spots in the order.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 19, 2009
October 20, 2009 7:04 pm

As I said before.  Like Alex Rios, his age doesn't help him.  While still viewed as a 5-tool guy by some, it's hard to imagine Curtis ever being able to cut his strikeouts or regain a .300 avg.  After the World Series run in '06 he would have been very valuable in a trade, now he is a player getting closer to a big payday.  Not something that many teams would be chasing after.
You guys have other reasons for Curtis Granderson not being traded by the Tigers front office.  I have one reason, most teams would not give much talent in return for a player who hit mostly leadoff, and still couldn't manage a .250 b.a.
He still is a very valuable player to Detroit.  He plays his position well enough, but his loveaffair with the longball has brought his offensive game down more than it has benefitted.  His bread and butter was, and should still be, his speed.  Double, Triples and Stolen bases should be his aim if Granderson hopes to be an All-Star again.
It wouldn't matter to me where he hits,3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, as long as it isn't behind Marcus Thames, Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge or Carlos Guillen.  They're lack of speed clogs up the basepaths, and takes away his strongest skill.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 18, 2006
October 20, 2009 8:11 pm

CG not going anywhere. had an off year as far as BA, however there are no CF candidates to take over except probably Casper Wells ( still not sold on Wilkin Ramirez). So why create a hole to fill another one. Also Curtis' big payroll years come after next years dead weight leaves. So I just don't see it happening. really needs to be hitting further down in the order, not leadoff. Did hit 339 in 59 PA's in the # 5 spot.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 23, 2008
October 20, 2009 9:58 pm

He is one of many examples of why I think Lloyd needs to go (though I realize he likely won't).  I don't like the 30 HR version of Curtis, where he tries to pull everything with an uppercut swing (a common issue on this team) and chases every pitch going away from him.  I would much rather have gap swinging Curtis, with 35-15-15 type power, then what he did this year.  Also, he needs to learn to go with a pitch and go the opposite way, and also lay down an occasional bunt.  There's way too much potential, and still a lot of very good parts to his game, to give up on Curtis.  And unfortunately there simply aren't many other candidates for lead-off, despite his deficiencies.  So, at least against RHP's, he still needs to lead-off.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 4, 2007
October 21, 2009 10:21 am

really needs to be hitting further down in the order, not leadoff. I agree that he isn't going any where except down in the order.  People keep talking about him being a threat to steal bases but really he isn't even that.  20 stolen bases, good for 39th in the league.  20 isn't bad, but it isn't where I think a leadoff hitter should be.  I would be nice to get a guy in here with Ellsbury or Crawford speed. 
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 28, 2007
October 22, 2009 3:53 pm

With the issues at SS, 2nd base, left field, and Inge rebound from injury at 3b I would venture to say DD will not mess with CF.

Ramirez has not shown he is ready for the big club. Raburn needs alot more work in the Outfield before I would feel comfortable with him in CF. Kelly? Wells? Just don't see giving up a solid CF for a couple pof players that do not have the same upside as Curtis. I think if Curtis goes it would be for a prospect ready to join the majors and a dependable pen arm.

Detroit's defense was strong up the middle. Thats one of the recipes for a successful team no reason to get rid of 1/4 of that equation.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 12, 2007
October 23, 2009 6:04 am

A couple tidbits to make you think.

Move Granderson down to 6th in lineup. He gets back to hitting .280 with the power he showed last season and he may be 100+ RBI guy with how often Cabrera is on base.

Granderson's last attempted steal was on August 9th. Why'd he stop running? He had 20 steals in 26 attempts.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 8, 2007
October 23, 2009 12:46 pm

If the Tigers spend anything towards a free agents, they might consider Marco Scutaro. His fielding is somewhere between Adam Everett and Edgar Renteria....ditto on his hitting. He batted leadoff for Blue Jays all season, and had a good OBP. Estimated worth is around $6mil a year on a two or three year contract. He could also be an option at 2nd if Polanco is gone.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 18, 2006
October 23, 2009 3:15 pm

Not sure I would give up a # 1 for scuttaro plus the big contract he is likely to command. Probably the top FA SS although cabrerra with no compensation required may be a better bargain. Lets remember marco is a career 260 hitter who just had a career year. I really think it will cost more than 6 mil. Several big market teams looking for a SS ( Red Sox for sure) so i think it might go up to 8 - 10 mil. Just leery of contracts to guys coming of career years.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 8, 2007
October 23, 2009 4:05 pm

You are right, I didn't figure him to make Type A. Forget that. If he asks for $8-10mil....a team would be stupid to give him more than one year.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 18, 2006
October 23, 2009 4:29 pm

Yes too much and at age 33 Scuttaro probably looking for 3 to 4 deal, paid only 1.5 the last 2 years and looking for a good deal. One year deal probably not gonna do it.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 12, 2009
October 31, 2009 6:47 pm

I'm not sure what Leyland would think about batting a rookie leadoff.
Worked in 06.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jun 12, 2009
October 31, 2009 6:51 pm

Tori Hunter and Grady Sizemore are the only things holding him back from being Gold Glove caliber.
LOL, Granderson is better than both.

Hunter is one of the worst defensive CFers in the AL.



He's a 5-tool player.
Can't hit for average.

Nothing other than idiocy would leave one to believe he's capable of hitting .300 consistently.
 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 14, 2009
November 3, 2009 9:20 pm

They have to keep Granderson. He's a cinch to go straight to the broadcast booth after retirement, and by then our current guys will be ready to leave the air.

I thought earlier he should move down to 6th in the lineup, and that still seems the best fit. Strikeouts and a .250-.260 average seem to be part of the Granderson package; the .280-.300 years seem more like the exception now. In the 6th spot, he'll have runners to drive in and still be able to use his speed for small ball at the bottom of the lineup.

You don't need a speed guy hitting third. If he steals second, Cabrera gets even fewer pitches to hit, especially with nobody backing him up.

 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson he'll bounc
Reputation:0
Level:Amateur
Since:Aug 31, 2009
November 4, 2009 11:47 pm

 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 2, 2009
December 9, 2009 5:22 pm

Intersting to read how we felt 6 weeks ago about Curtis Granderson, his fielding, batting and how there was a slim chance he'd be traded.  Looks like most of us were wrong on his chances of being dealt.  And either the Yankees don't care he can't hit lefties, or they think they can fix the problem.  Maybe fixing the problem is as simple as not having Legendary Lloyd McClenndon whispering in his ear every day!
I wish all the best for CG as a Yankee.  Hoping that someday Austin Jackson can step in at centerfield and play somewhere near the same level on defense.  At Comerica, more than most stadiums, a strong centerfield is key.  I keep reading about his athletic ability from Yankees posters, but I wonder if any of them have actually had the chance to see him play live.  Cameron Maybin surely has an excellent athlete, but we haven't seen that transition him to even a solid MLB player yet for the Marlins.

Leading off...  Who Knows!

 
- Leading off... #28 Curtis Granderson
Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jul 28, 2007
December 12, 2009 12:26 pm

A VERY DUMB TRADE BY A VERY DUMB GM. I wish CG all the best, I really enjoyed his defensive skills.  Doesn't look good for 2010.