Detroit Tigers: Why Curtis Granderson is ideal outfield addition this winter

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PHOENIX, AZ – AUGUST 30: Curtis Granderson #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on August 30, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans haven’t seen Curtis Granderson suit up in a Tigers uniform since 2009. That being said, the outfielder would make an ideal addition to the team this winter.

Detroit Tigers executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager Al Avila and the rest of the front office are in need of some veteran additions this offseason.

The Tigers have prospects progressing through the minors to eventually fill needs in the outfield, rotation and bullpen, but those prospects aren’t yet ready to make an impact in the Majors.

Some, like outfielders Christin Stewart and Mike Gerber, could be in Detroit at some point next season.

However, until that happens, the team will need stop-gap candidates to help bridge the gap to the next generation.

One perfect stop-gap candidate set to hit the free agent market is Curtis Granderson.

The former Tiger will reach free agency after helping the Dodgers to a World Series berth in 2017.

Not only would Granderson help put fans in seats during a rebuild, but he’d also be an ideal fit as a veteran leader and power-hitting outfielder.

Here’s why the Detroit Tigers should look into signing outfielder Curtis Granderson to a short-term contract this offseason.

DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 20: Curtis Granderson #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at Comerica Park on August 20, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Power

With J.D. Martinez and Justin Upton gone, Ian Kinsler a potential trade chip and Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez coming off seasons plagued by trips to the disabled list, Detroit will be in need of some middle-of-the-order production.

Nicholas Castellanos looks set to hit behind Cabrera, while Jeimer Candelario should also play a part, whether it be hitting second or fifth.

Outside of those two, however, Detroit lacks players capable of driving in runs on a consistent basis.

This is especially true considering Tigers batters logged a .149 ISO in the month of September. Only six teams had a lower collective mark in the month.

That’s where Granderson comes in.

The former Tiger has ISOs of .241 and .228 in the last two seasons. His mark in the category hasn’t dipped below .160 since he left the Motor City.

By comparison, just five players on the current roster, Castellanos, Mikie Mahtook, Kinsler, John Hicks and McCann had an ISO over .160.

Castellanos was the only one of the group to eclipse the .200 mark in 2017.

It also doesn’t hurt that Granderson has mashed 102 home runs since the start of the 2014 season.

Only 13 outfielders and 27 players total have more over that span. The veteran also ranks 24^th among outfielders in ISO with a .205 number since Opening Day 2014.

Ideally, the outfielder would hit fifth behind Cabrera and Castellanos and ahead of Candelario.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 16: Curtis Granderson #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches a foul ball by Jayson Werth #28 (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals to end the game in the ninth inning at Nationals Park on September 16, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Glove work

If 2017 was any indication, the 36-year-old can still make an impact defensively in the right scenario.

Granderson turned in a 0.0 UZR/150, a -4 DRS and a -3.1 ARM in 2017 in the outfield grass.

Those numbers aren’t eye-popping in any way, but they represent a significant upgrade over some of Detroit’s other incumbent outfielders from a defensive standpoint like Alex Presley (-8.0 UZR/150, -11 DRS and a -0.5 ARM), Castellanos (-80.5 UZR/150, -7 DRS, -3.2 ARM) and Mahtook (-2.0 UZR/150, -13 DRS, -4.3 ARM).

The arrival of Granderson would be particularly helpful in moving Castellanos out of right field.

A former third baseman, Castellanos just moved to the outfield grass down the stretch last season.

It’s possible that his poor defensive metrics were simply a product of him still learning and adjusting to the position.

However, if he continues to struggle in 2018, the Detroit Tigers should move him to first base, where his bat still profiles well.

This would allow Miguel Cabrera to slide to designated hitter, a move that could help extend his productivity and his career.

Shifting Castellanos and Cabrera to new positions would open up right field for Granderson.

As it stands, the veteran was one of baseball’s best defensive right fielders with at least 250 defensive innings.

Next: Tigers may have a potential impact reliever in Drew VerHagen

Granderson ranked only behind Mookie Betts and Yasiel Puig with a 3.7 defensive runs above average rating, and checked in at 10^th in terms of DRS with a +6 stat.

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Detroit Tigers fans haven’t seen Curtis Granderson suit up in a Tigers uniform since 2009. That being said, the outfielder would make an ideal addition to the team this winter.

Power

Glove work

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