Injured – Any player can get injured. Granderson has not shown himself to be especially brittle. Neither have the others in this deal. You can’t use Granderson as an injury risk against him in analyzing the deal. He’s not Erik Bedard. Austin Jackson could get hit by a car tomorrow. Does that mean the Tigers are dumb?

Performing worse – Who’s more likely to perform worse?
-A rookie, moving up from AAA to a new ballpark that’s not hitter friendly, who hit 4 homer runs last year. Total. This guy has no shot of sniffing the Yankees starting lineup next year, and you’re predicting 3 WAR? Gimme a break. Melky Cabrera had 1.6 WAR in 2009, and you’re predicting 3 WAR in 2010 for Jackson? Pshaw.
-A minor league pitcher recovering from aneurysm surgery who’s never had success in the bigs and whose fastball averages below 90.
-A 29 year old all star who had a slightly subpar year for himself in 2009, moving from one of the worst hitters parks in baseball to one of the better for a lefty, and moving to a studly lineup where he’s not depended on to make everything happen.

The only guy of these three with a track record is Granderson. He’s the one that MUST be most trusted. The others are a crap shoot. You’re predicting the worst for Granderson and better than the best for these guys.

“Its also assuming that Kennedy doesnt break out, that jackson doesn’t break out (not that jackson really has to break out, from what I understand he is likely an above average CF, so if he was -10 batting and + 10 fielding…thats still about a ~3 win player)”

From what you understand? Really? Well, take a look at all the previous rookie center fielders for the last 50 years and tell me how may contribute 3 WAR? I’m not going to bother looking. You do it. Ridiculous statement.

Of course it’s assuming Kennedy doesn’t break out. Break out from what? His ceiling is a #3 starter. You expect that to happen in his first full season?

“They could have gone after Mike Cameron…”

Mike Cameron is a free agent. His salary will be much higher next year than Granderson’s. If they got Cameron, guess where Jackson would be? In AAA, adding 0 value. Now they have the money, and they have Granderson. They can use that money to sign Damon or whoever.

“So essentially the yankees paid 3 prospects and about $25 million for 3 total WAR over the next 3 years. Thats a prospect and ~$9 million PER WIN.”

They paid $8 million per year for Granderson. Which, if you haven’t noticed, is a bargain for an above average center fielder.. You wrote this as if the Yankees threw away $25 million yesterday, as opposed to over the next three years. Whoever else plays center has to get paid to you know.

“Crisp would likely be >4War if he was”

So Crisp, who in his last 5 years has gone over 120 games once and is currently recovering from a torn labrum which ended his season, is a safer risk than Granderson? You’re talking about the Yankees’ starting center fielder. I don’t even think the Royals want to have to depend on Crisp at this point.

Dude, you are putting rose colored glasses for every guy you bring up and painting the worst possible scenario for Granderson.

You would have been better off just leaving my original statement alone. Your post was moronic.

And if you are going to criticize, then please do so correctly.

I specifically stated that Granderson was likely worth 4 WAR…I also specifically stated that the yankees have a FREE player under control for the next 3 years that would be basically worth 3 WAR.

Thus by trading for Granderson the Yankees added 1 WAR a year that they did not have. I’m just saying that to aquire that extra WAR, the yankees paid too much.

Now please if you disagree with that(either because you think Granderson is better than that, or if Jackson would be below average all around, or if you have some REAL problem with what I said, then say it and stop being an idiot

I simply said I’d rather him his “closer” to .300 than try to add 5+ HRs. That is, of course, assuming (even if just for conversation sake) that he gets “power happy”.

It may be very possible for him to just keep his regular swing, and hit 35 HRs and bat somewhere between .270-.280

If he does that, stays healthy, and plays decent defense, this is just an incredible bargain for the NYY. Not so much because the NYY are so smart, but because DET is in such a crappy situation (much of which is their own doing).

Its also assuming that Kennedy doesnt break out, that jackson doesn’t break out (not that jackson really has to break out, from what I understand he is likely an above average CF, so if he was -10 batting and + 10 fielding…thats still about a ~3 win player)

So essentially the yankees paid 3 prospects and about $25 million for 3 total WAR over the next 3 years. Thats a prospect and ~$9 million PER WIN.

Another thing to consider is whether there were better options? did the yankees simply go after granderson because of his star power?
They could have gone after Mike Cameron, likely available for less monetarily and no prospects. Cameron put up 4.3 WAR last year…Granderson put up 3.8.
Or they could have gone with Coco Crisp, sure its a gamble assuming hes healthy, but Crisp would likely be >4War if he was.

My point is the yankees gave up too much for a guy who they didn’t really need and a guy who is likely worse than several other available alternatives.
I just don’t see how this is a good trade unless you like “Star Power”

A close to elite player in his prime with reasonable finances for the next four years for an avg/speed guy with NO POWER, a pitching prospect who would be at best a #4 in the AL East ( he does project higher now in the NL), and a middle reliever that you can pickup anywhere.

I know some of you are Austin Jackson/Ian Kennedy fans but lets be real.

And now you can tell Blubbering Boras to go kiss himself when he tries to sell his throw-like-a-girl, cant throw anyone out, love that jetstream in Yankee Stadium client. No thanks.

this is going out on a limb? that’s a pretty strong limb.