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

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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.

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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.