It is starting to look like that Curtis Granderson may very well be this year's Brain Roberts/Jake Peavy....
And by that, I mean, the player the Cubs are going to supposed trade for, but it never happens...but this point who knows.
He's smiling because people like him.
Anyway, rumors abound right now that the Cubs may be interested in acquiring Granderson from the Tigers. And that sounds great and all. If the Tigers trade Granderson this year, it is a salary, which is isn't that significant this year at $5.5 million but Granderson's contract, like many of the Cubs' contracts, is back weighted...he gets a significant amount of his money (5 years-$30.25 million) in the remaining 2 years of the contract, starting in 2011...$8.25 million in 2011 and $10 million in 2012. He also has a $13 million option for 2013 (assuming we all survive the 2012 apocalypse).
If the Cubs are able to move some of the other back weighted contracts, Granderson could be a really good pickup. He is 28 years old...nearing his prime as a ballplayer. He can hit for power...30 home runs in 2009. He's got some speed...20 stolen bases this past season.
The thing you need to be careful about is the fact that Granderson's power numbers were indeed up this year, but his batting average was way down. He strikes out a lot as well, but he does get on base. If his power numbers remain where they were this past season, we would probably have another Soriano on our hands. If the Cubs were able to move Soriano, Granderson wouldn't be too bad of a pickup...he's younger, he would cost less and he is a far superior outfielder. But the Cubs do need a center fielder regardless...it is just where the center fielder bats in the lineup. Granderson may not be the prototypical leadoff man that the Cubs so badly need.
If the Granderson talks intensify, look for the Cubs to make another move (outside of Milton Bradley) before it happens.
Stay Tuned!
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