Yankees Likely Not Chasing Tigers’ Brennan Boesch To Replace Curtis Granderson

February 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson (14) reacts after he was hit in the forearm by a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Former Detroit Tigers fan favorite suffered a fractured forearm after being hit by a pitch last Sunday in his first official at-bat of the spring. It is expected that Granderson will miss 10 weeks which will keep him out until early May at the earliest.

In Detroit the news brought about question as to whether or not the Yankees – who have Brett Garnder available to play center field defensively – would look to the Detroit Tigers’ Brennan Boesch as a possible short-term replacement for their All-Star outfielder. Boesch, as a left-handed hitter, could thrive in Yankee Stadium with its short right field fence.

But Tony Paul of the Detroit News tells us not to get our hopes up. It may not be this easy to unload Boesch as the Yankees could probably have their eyes on a bigger target.

"As for those speculating this could now be the ideal landing spot in a trade for forgotten Tiger Brennan Boesch, the left-handed hitter who theoretically could thrive with that short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium, I suggest you think again.It may not seem like it, after having watched them pass on one top-shelf free agent after another this offseason, but these are still the Yankees. And they’ll be aiming higher than Boesch."

I’m not really sold on the idea of New York making a big move here. We’re possibly talking about “only” five or six weeks of the regular season so the Yankees – who have suddenly become cash conscious – won’t really need more than a one-month solution.

It’s true that the Yankees are THE Yankees, but they haven’t big movers in this offseason to date, and were content to mostly stand pat as the Toronto Blue Jays made a series of power moves in attempt to gain control of the division. It’s possible that they don’t even make any move at and simply wait out April while plugging the hole with internal options such as Juan Rivera and Matt Diaz (two of their offseason signings). If they do seek an external replacement, it’s possible that all they’ll be looking for is a left-hander to platoon with one of these guys.

Boesch’s numbers don’t really scream “platoon hitter”, but the Tigers would likely be willing to send him off rather cheaply, and he’d give New York a potentially plus power bat to help replace some of those missing home runs. In the end, though, I doubt a deal materializes here because they rarely do.