Looking back at the Curtis Granderson trade

[MSBNYY]

I hated that move at the time, and I hate it even more now. When we got Granderson, he was that one dimensional bat where he hits for a low average, can't hit a lefty, but can hit the HR 30 times a year.

One season in NY, and he was a one dimensional bat, can't hit a lefty, but can still hit a HR. You don't TRADE for a guy who can't hit .250. That's pathetic.

And the defense? Mediocre at best.

We knew all this at the time.

Could we have kept Austin Jackson and broke him in with Johnny Damon still on the team? Yep. We wouldn't have missed Granderson's power, because Damon hits well in Yankee Stadium. We could have used Jackson possibly in a trade for Cliff Lee.

So Granderson's addition to this team meant nothing because his numbers are easily replaceable.

Now let's look at what the Yanks currently need...

We needed a lefty reliever all of last year, and before signing Feliciano. Too bad we got rid of Phil Coke in the Granderson trade. We could have used him.

Hey--at least we got Boone Logan.

And now, let's not forget the biggest need--a starter.

With Pettitte either retiring on not getting into shape fast enough to do well in 2011, and no Lee, we're in deep shit.

I sure wish we had a guy like Ian Kennedy, who pitched 194 innings and had an ERA under 4.00. Yes, it was in the NL, so it would have been higher, but it's better than Ivan Nova and a mystery pitcher.


All I can say is given the choice between a .250 hitting CFer who can't hit a lefty, and having Damon, Coke, Jackson, and Kennedy, I would choose the latter.

Dumb trade.

[jwmcc]

"I sure wish we had a guy like Ian Kennedy"

[MSBNYY]

You can laugh all you want, but right now, our FOURTH starter is Ivan Nova.

[9]

I'd take Ivan Nova over Ian Kennedy. Kennedy is a shithead. He got lit up like a Christmas tree by the Angels and had the balls to say he pitched well.

[MSBNYY]

He had a nice year in the NL. Yes, it was the NL, but he threw almost 200 IP, and we sure could use that now. Not saying I want HIM back specifically, but given what we gave up, what we got, and what we need, that trade sucked.

[Jason Giambi]

LOL @ John.....

[$heriff Tom]

Balls, Kennedy was lit up like a torch in New York. Its funny how quickly everyone forgets this sort of thing. Same thing with the "Joba MUST start!" crowd. Yeah, that works, have him throw his 100 pitches in 4.2 innings, overtaxing the bullpen and everyones nerves with his 91 MPH "fastball" in the rotation.

[MSBNYY]

Kennedy had one year here, and Granderson was the hitting equal to getting lit up like a torch.

But right now, we are looking at signing high priced losers to throw 200 innings of crap. Kennedy could do that for a much lower price, and we would have had Austin Jackson who may not have had power, but was a solid rookie, and a good trade chip before we wasted him.

As for Joba starting--you're right. That's why I think he should start in the minors, and not be brought back to the big club until he can actually pitch like a MLB pitcher.

[Jason Giambi]

I miss this board.

[9]

FUCK Kennedy.

[MSBNYY]

That's fine, but he's better than Mitre. I think it's safe to say he'd be the 4th starter right now.

[9]

I hate Mitre. but I'd take him over Kennedy right now. Kennedy can pitch fine in Arizona, where no one gives a fuck. He was horrible here, and his attitude about it was equally horrible.

[MSBNYY]

Why would you take him over Kennedy? What has Mitre done that would make you think he could throw 200 innings?

[withspades]

Kennedy can not handle the pressure of NY. Period.
Now, we got 2 cheap pitchers off the scrap heap that are both better than Kennedy, annnnnd Granderson can hit lefties.

How do you feel about all this six months later?

[MSBNYY]

It's hard to say. Obviously, Granderson's having a sick year. He's not only hitting well, but I feel like his defense is better too. That's always hard to judge but he seems smoother out there this year than last, and has the range of a young Bernie.

The thing is though, without that trade, we also don't make the Vazquez deal, and those players are gone too.

I don't necessarily think Kennedy can't handle NY. I don't think that's fair.

Phil Coke has become a starter and a very good one, as of this post. So would you trade 2 SPs, two starting OFers, a good reliever and a top 100 prospect for Granderson?

If those players continue to have a full 2011 like they have the first 2 months, I would say no. Not that I'm dissatisfied with Granderson, but make no mistake, we paid for him.

What's interesting is that Granderson is winning me over in 2011 much more than Swisher did in 2010. Hard to explain it, but while I don't believe Granderson will put up these sick numbers throughout his contract, I believe in him more.

[withspades]

Ya, well, do you really think the NYY would've even given Coke the starting opportunity at any point along the way? They traded a player they saw as a specialist reliever. A bit part. You cant weigh him as the solid starter he is now, if he wouldnt be developed that way with our team.
Kennedy himself was quoted remarking about how its just different for him in NY (vs AAA at the time). He'd go to Scranton, kick ass, and come back and suck. He is doing well in the NL with that 9th 'easy out'.

[MSBNYY]

No I don't. I think he would be in the pen, and doing a great job at it. Way better than Boone Logan. Since we got rid of Coke, we haven't had a good lefty in the pen.

Yes, the NL and a smaller market is different, and easier, but he's also 2 years older and more mature.