Curtis Granderson Trade

"The New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers are on the verge of the first major trade of baseball's winter meetings, a deal that would send Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson to New York, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

In the trade, the Diamondbacks would obtain Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy, while the Tigers will pick up Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Phil Coke and outfield prospect Austin Jackson." Courtesy of ESPN

After hearing the deal involving Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, I was not shocked. The only reason I wasn't was because I heard it was coming for the last few weeks. I really didnt believe that it could happen though. Curtis Granderson? The face of the Detroit Tigers franchise being traded? Then it happened.

I felt anger, I felt sadness, and then I wondered why. Part of it was an obvious salary dump. Part of it might have been the Tigers felt they needed to fill more holes and build for the future. Whatever the case, the Granderson part of the deal only happened because of one thing. It happened because of a blunder during last season. It happened because Magglio Ordonez was allowed to get a 17 million dollar option. If that doesnt happen, I believe Granderson is still on the Tigers. If you get rid of Mags before that option hit, you could have used that money to get relief pitching and maybe another hitter. But by showing too much loyalty the Tigers had to show disloyalty to Granderson

The Edwin part of the deal could have still happened. I realize that the Tigers might not have gotten both of the pitchers they received from Arizona, but Edwin would have still been traded. And thats ok. But Granderson still is realizing his potential, and was great for this community. This trade might work out in the end, but it sure feels wrong at the beginning. Granderson to the Yankees.....just doesnt sound right.

One important thing, however, is you cant judge a trade until after the players have a chance to perform. When the Tigers traded Jeff Weaver, I was upset, but that worked out alright. Maybe this will work out all right. I guess we will wait and see. At least the Tigers save money in one other fashion. They can just hand Austin Jackson Edwin's jersey.

~ Mad Man Maurice