Curtis’ rebirth may
SAN FRANCISCO — Curtis Granderson was always prepared to fail. So the outfielder still has backup plans ready to go, 14 seasons into his career. He will eventually go back to school and get his master’s degree as soon as baseball is done for him. But lately, Granderson has shown why those plans may have to be deferred, yet again.
Granderson has hit his way back into the Mets leadoff spot and into the mix for playing time with Michael Conforto. The 36year old has also played his way back into consideration for other teams.
In the final year of his deal with the Mets, Granderson has raised his potential trade value as the team admits it is probably going to be in position to sell off assets like Granderson and other veterans.
Granderson, who signed a four-year $60 million deal in Dec. 2013, knows the rumors will start again soon.
He was the target of some trade talks this winter, but the Mets preferred dealing Jay Bruce and his $13 million salary. They found no takers.
Now, with the Mets facing an uphill battle against injuries and the standings, they will be much more receptive to offers on Bruce, Granderson and any other of their veterans. While most contenders are looking for pitching, a team like the Cubs could be looking for some outfield help.
“In all my years in baseball, I’ve had plenty of rumors about trades,” Granderson said, “and I’ve only had (an actual trade) happen once. So it’s useless to worry about it. I’ll just let it play out.”
But Granderson admitted the next few weeks could determine more than his immediate future. He’s not sure if he will play in 2018. Much of it depends on how this season finishes.
“I will have to wait and see if there are opportunities,” Granderson said. “I still feel good. My body is still capable. I can still do it, but it all depends on what opportunities present themselves to me.”
After hitting .201 with four home runs with 19 RBI in the first 50 games of this season, Granderson has gone on a tear. He is hitting .333 with six homers and 10 RBI in his last 60 at-bats over the last 22 games.
“I can’t explain it, but I have seen it too many times with him to be surprised,” Mets hitting coach Kevin Long said. “He starts slow, but then gets going. You know it’s coming. It may have taken a little longer this year, but he was confident it was coming. So was I.”
With his annual slow start to the season extending into May, Granderson is carrying a .235 batting average and there is more wear and tear on his legs because he is forced to play center field.
Still, Long, who has coached Granderson for years with the Yankees and Mets, feels it’s too early for Granderson to be thinking about his post-baseball plans.
“I still think there is good baseball left in him,” Long said. “It would be a shame if he didn’t get another chance.” randerson has always had a postbaseball plan. It has changed somewhat over the years. He will now get a master’s in education, instead of business, and then focus on his foundation and the academy he helped open in his hometown of Chicago. There is a chance he would continue to work in the MLB Players Association, or he would possibly look at another offfield job in baseball.
“I wasn’t expecting to make it to the big leagues,” Granderson said. “I always thought I would give baseball a try and eventually, when it was over I’d go back and get my master’s. I thought it would be great, I’d be able to say I played pro ball and go back and get on with my plan.
“For me, baseball was never the only thing,” Granderson said. “I just happened to be better at baseball. I always knew there was going to be something to do besides playing the game. When the time comes, I’ll be prepared. “I just don’t know when that will be yet.” If he keeps going at his current pace, Granderson may have to put his plans on hold a while longer.
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