MLB Winter Meetings – Yanks Get Granderson

Written by: Paul Greco on 9th December 2009

MLB Winter Meetings - Yanks Get Granderson | read this item

After a lack luster Day 1 at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana, Day 2 provided baseball fans the type of “hot stove” excitement they’ve been anticipating since the end of the World Series.

The New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a three-way, seven player deal, pending physicals for the players, which can be considered one of the biggest trades at the Winter Meetings since the San Diego Padres dealt 2B Roberto Alomar and OF Joe Carter to the Toronto Blue Jays for 1B Fred McGriff and SS Tony Fernandez.
T
he Yankees sent their No. 1 prospect, OF Austin Jackson, and RP Phil Coke to the Tigers, as well as SP Ian Kennedy to the Diamondbacks in exchange for OF Curtis Granderson. The Tigers then sent All-Star SP Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks in exchange for SP Max Scherzer and RP Daniel Schlereth.

Granderson, a first time All-Star in 2009, hit 30 home runs, drove in 71 runs and stole 20 bases in 2009. With three years left on his contract, Granderson is owed $25.75 million: $5.5 million next year, $8.25 million in 2011, $10 million in 2012 a $2 million buyout of a $13 million club option for 2013.

Considered one of the Yankees’ top prospect, Jackson, last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hit .300, with four homers, 65 RBI, and 24 steals. Scouts I spoke with over the last two seasons are concerned whether or not Jackson could mature physically. With 23 doubles last year they believe Jackson is player who will top out at 10-15 homers a season.

Scherzer had flashes of brilliance in 2009, but was more inconsistent than good. The flame throwing righty went 9-11, struck out 174 in 170 1/3 innings, and posted a 4.12 ERA in 30 starts for Arizona last season.

Daniel Schlereth, the son of current ESPN football analyst and former NFL offensive lineman posses a live arm but has control issues at time. The 23-year-old lefty made his major league debut last season and went 1-4 with a 5.89 ERA in 21 relief appearances while striking out 22 over 18 1/3 innings.

Notes from the MLB Managers Media sessions:

Arizona Diamondback Manager AJ Hinch **Note** This interview was prior to the three-way deal

• 1B Conor Jackson is healthy and played winter ball at first base and left field.
• Brandon Webb is healthy and is excited for spring training.
• Right now the Diamondbacks outfield is crowded. Hinch said spring training will allow him to evaluate the talent more and hasn’t made a decision on who will be his starters.
• Hinch is excited to have RP Aaron Heilman in the bullpen. Heilman, a righty, is also effective against left-handed batters which Hinch said is a plus.
• OF Manny Parra doesn’t have a set position right now. He’s a guy that can play all three outfield spots and isn’t a defensive liability.
• Hinch is a concerned about the fifth spot in the rotation. He mentioned that it could be filled via free-agency.
• OF Justin Upton will bat third, C Miguel Montero fourth, and 3B Mark Reynolds fifth. The leadoff spot will likely be a platoon.
• The biggest competition going into camp will be at second base.

New York Mets Manager Jerry Manuel

• Manuel said that he wanted to protect the catcher’s position and that is why the Mets have focused on the position this offseason.
• Manuel said his philosophy will change this spring. Instead of focusing on the hitting aspect, the Mets will concentrate more on pitching and defense.
• 3B David Wright “did not psych himself out” last year. Manuel says that Wright will produce at the same level he did during the 2008 season.
• SS Jose Reyes is progressing well. His spirits are high and he’s right where he should be in his rehab.
• First base still has question marks. Manual seemed concerned with the fact that the Mets, if they stick with 1B Daniel Murphy, will have to generate power from another position.
• 1B Carlos Delgado is scheduled to make his winter league start between the 15th and 20th of December.
• Bobby Parnell will be in the bullpen in 2010.
• Right now the Mets will not name a definitive eighth inning guy. There are several relief pitchers that could see time, but Manuel will ride the hot hand.

Houston Astros Manager Brad Mills

• C Jason Castro is a solid talent and will have an opportunity to win the starting catchers job for the Astros according to Mills.
• SP Roy Oswalt spoke to Mills and said he is excited about the upcoming season and is healthy.
• Mills seemed to like SS Tommy Manzella a lot. He raved about his range and glove and gave an indication that he could be the starter.
• Michael Bourn will have the green light on the base path. Bourn knows when to run and Mills will put the decision on Bourn’s shoulders.

Cleveland Indians Manager Manny Acta

• The Indians still have not signed a hitting coach for the upcoming season. Acta didn’t seem worried and had several candidates in mind.
• Acta is taking the “Why not us” attitude for the upcoming season after discussing how three different teams have won the division over the last three seasons.
• Acta acknowledged that the Indians need better pitching and that they will be looking at free agents.
• “Something will get done,” Acta said. It may not be big, but the Indians, besides pitching, are looking for a utility infielder.
• First base is up in the air right now. Acta said 1B/3B/ LF Matt LaPorta and 1B Jordan Brown will battle it out if the Indians don’t sign a first baseman via free agency.
• DH Travis Hafner is healthy and feeling the best he’s felt in a while. He is in a rigorous offseason program and is looking forward to the start of the season.
• Kerry Woods was named the opening day closer. Acta said that he will allow Woods to get four-out saves and will not go more than three days without pitching.

San Francisco Giants Manager Bruce Bochey

• Bochy said that the Giants are looking to fill holes with bats. He understands that the team needs more power with the potential lose of C Bengie Molina.
• C Buster Posey will have to win the job out of spring training.
• OF Andres Torres and OF/2B Eugenio Velez will platoon in the leadoff spot.
• 2B Freddy Sanchez could bat second or third in the lineup this year.
• First base is still a concern for the Giants. Bochy discussed 1B Travis Ishikawa home/away splits, but said that he’s a guy he could see at the position to start the season.

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Topics: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baseball Winter Meetings, Daniel Schlereth, Detroit Tigers, Edwin Jackson, Espn Football, Football Analyst, Fred Mcgriff, Lack Luster, Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, Max Scherzer, Mlb Winter Meetings, New York Yankees, Offensive Lineman, Roberto Alomar, San Diego Padres, Scranton Wilkes Barre, Star Sp, Toronto Blue Jays