NewsGranderson rumors talk of the town
Tigers not denying they'll listen to offers for star outfielder
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
11/12/09 3:30 PM EST
DETROIT -- What if the Tigers found a way to improve their team, to fill some of the holes they're hamstrung to fill because of payroll, but they had to give up their most popular player and arguably the face of the franchise to do it?
It's something Detroit appears ready to consider.
If the Tigers hoped to do their offseason business quietly, those chances flew out of the lobby at Chicago's O'Hare Airport Hilton like a late traveler with the mention of Curtis Granderson. He's an All-Star center fielder, the face of the franchise, a presence in the community, and he's now the talk coming out of this week's GM Meetings.
At least publicly, the Tigers aren't discussing trade talks involving specific players. But they aren't denying anything on Granderson, either, like they did with trade rumors involving Magglio Ordonez last year or Miguel Cabrera this past season. That in itself speaks volumes.
The general theme coming out, the idea that came across from team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski in a phone interview, is that the Tigers will talk about a lot of different things if something can make their team better -- not just three years from now, but right now.
They're not in a fire sale, Dombrowski said, but it's clear the idea of an untouchable player on a large-payroll team that failed to hold onto the AL Central lead in a down year is a lot more loose than it was the past couple of years. Even if it means talking trades for the most popular player on the team, if not the most popular athlete in the city.
"We are always open to talking about players," Dombrowski told the Detroit News, "and we'll continue to talk and see if anything makes sense."
Dombrowski emphasized that discussions aren't deals, and that no deal is close to happening. In Granderson's case, few teams could've expected his availability going into the Meetings, so interested clubs will start looking at packages now. Now that the word is out, however, expect interest to roll in, not just from large-market teams, but maybe some unexpected suitors.
The Yankees, who have outfield openings with Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon as free agents, popped up in rumors almost immediately as a logical destination. Dombrowski and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman met during the GM Meetings, according to the New York Post, but it was believed to be less formal and more a review of team needs.
The Yankees have the advantage of a center-field prospect in 22-year-old Austin Jackson, who batted .300 with four home runs, 65 RBIs and 24 stolen bases at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. During unsuccessful trade talks this past summer for Josh Anderson, the Tigers had a good look at the Yankees' farm system, including third baseman and hitting prospect Brandon Laird, younger brother of Tigers catcher Gerald Laird.
However, Detroit will likely require more than prospects for Granderson, and that could get tricky. So much of New York's young pitching has slotted into key roles that Major League-ready arms could be difficult to pry, and adding immediate offensive help out of the Bronx could be a challenge. As appealing as Melky Cabrera might be, the Yankees can slot him into a corner outfield spot if they add a center fielder.
The other logical rumored suitor is Granderson's hometown of Chicago, where he still lives during the offseason and where the Cubs would like a leadoff man, plus a move for Kosuke Fukudome from center field to right. Dombrowski and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry have pulled off several smaller trades over the past few years.
But while the Cubs have a gifted young closer in Carlos Marmol, who split ninth-inning duties with Kevin Gregg, they don't have much offensive depth to sell other than outfielder Milton Bradley, whose high contract and high maintenance wouldn't appeal to Detroit. Starlin Castro is a highly-touted shortstop prospect, but he has just 31 games above Class A ball, and doesn't turn 20 years old until March.
The White Sox already have a center fielder with Alex Rios. More important, Granderson isn't likely to be dealt within the division. The two trades Dombrowski made within the AL Central during his eight years in Detroit were deals for Anderson and Roman Colon. Colon went to Kansas City out of necessity in 2007 after being charged with assault in a clubhouse fight with a teammate at Triple-A Toledo; Anderson went to the Royals for cash considerations after being designated for assignment.
Expect inquiries from other teams looking for help in center field, but interest will likely carry over to clubs who have center fielders, but also have needs for power or leadoff needs. The Tigers considered whether to move Granderson to left field a few years ago when Cameron Maybin was rising quickly through their farm system, but Maybin's trade to Florida two years ago erased that possibility.
The Brewers, who had a need in center field at season's end, had a chance to discuss scenarios with the Tigers involving J.J. Hardy. However, Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin told the Detroit Free Press last week that he had no contact with the Tigers because they were looking for players who had low salaries and service time.
The wild card in any talks -- and the one big financial factor -- could be the willingness of clubs to take on one of Detroit's otherwise untradeable contracts. Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis all will make $10 million or more this year, but they combined for three victories this year. All three contracts, however, expire next winter.
Carlos Guillen will make $13 million in each of the next two seasons and aired his unhappiness about his situation last month to MLB.com, but he has not demanded a trade. He can veto any trade as a 10-and-5 player -- 10 years in the Majors, the last five with the same club -- and it's unlikely he'll find the starting infield position he'd like with a contending team.
For his part, Granderson's $5.5 million salary for next season is fairly reasonable, even after a relatively down year at the plate. The big money in the five-year, $30.25 million contract he signed two winters ago doesn't kick in until the next two years, jumping to $8.25 million in 2011 and $10 million the following year. There's a $13 million club option for 2013.
Granderson's salary isn't the big problem, and his ties to the payroll discussion might become moot if the Tigers trade others, such as All-Star right-hander Edwin Jackson. For now, though, the chance of him being dealt is an issue for plenty of teams to watch.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
