Baseball’s winter meetings have brought us our first big deal. A three-way trade among the Tigers, Yankees, and Diamondbacks has been agreed upon in principle, centering around Curtis Granderson.
The Yankees receive Curtis Granderson (OF). The Tigers receive Max Scherzer (RHP), Austin Jackson (OF), Phil Coke (LHP), and Daniel Schlereth (LHP). The Diamondbacks receive Edwin Jackson (RHP) and Ian Kennedy (RHP).
To begin, the Tigers have made it no secret that Curtis Granderson is available for the right price. Granderson has been great for Detroit (the club and the city), but the economy is indeed having an effect on baseball. Detroit has been looking to cut costs and unloading Granderson’s contract is certainly one way of doing it. Now this is in no way a firesale. The Tiger’s, while parting ways with stars Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson, welcome some great young talent. Austin Jackson will hit for average and the power will be there eventually. He is ranked by mlb.com as the #27 prospect in baseball. He reminds me a lot of a young, rough around the edges, Curtis Granderson. Apparently the Yankees just lack the patience. Who can blame them? They are the Yankees and they are in need of an outfielder ready to play everyday.
In Max Scherzer, the Tigers get a strike out machine. Scouts have raved about Scherzer’s potential and the impact he has already had, granted it is in the National League. Scherzer finished the 2009 campaign (9-11) with a 4.12 E.R.A. The more impressive stat, 174 strikeouts in only 170.1 innings of work. Add him to Rick Porcello and Tiger fans have reason to get excited about the future this pitching staff could bring. I know they dealt Edwin Jackson who was stellar last season, but let’s not get too carried away. Granted, his stuff looked great in Detroit, but he was considered the pitcher Tampa Bay could most afford to part ways with just one year ago. Add Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth and a shaky Tiger bullpen is much improved. I honestly believe that this trade will pay off for Detroit by this time next year.
Now for Arizona. You lose two young pitchers. You get two young pitchers. If Edwin Jackson can continue what he started last year this could pay off. The jury is still out on Ian Kennedy. I still believe he can be a very servicable MLB pitcher.
So who are the winners and losers here? Does there really need to be a loser? The Yankees get what they want, an everyday outfielder who can really add to their already strong lineup. The Yankees also sell the farm, but it’s the Yankees farm. All these guys are easily replacable by throwing a $100 million at the next hotshot free agent. Besides, who really knows what will become of Phil Coke, Austin Jackson, and Ian Kennedy. The Tigers get what they want, a salary cut, bullpen help, and young replacements with just as much potential as the stars they let go. And the Diamondbacks, well if Edwin Jackson looks like he did last year their pitching staff becomes one the best in the National League with Dan Haren and a healthy Brandon Webb. Overall, I don’t think there is a loser here. Isn’t that why they all agreed on it in the first place?
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