New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson has struggled mightily over the first three months of the season.
Curtis Granderson has slumped before, but never like this.After striking out looking to conclude Saturday’s brutal 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves, the veteran right fielder is now batting .043 (1-23) with two outs and runners in scoring position — the worst mark in the majors.
The “Grandy Man” should be benched for tomorrow’s matinee on principle alone. At this point of the season, he’s costing the team games.
What does that mean?
Well, when Granderson hits, so does the rest of the lineup. As the squad’s leadoff hitter, he sets the tone for the contest. His BB% is down from 13.3% a season ago to 9.6% now. His BABIP is lower than it’s ever been before, he’s not hitting for any average, and his at-bats with RISP have been pitiful.
After a spectacular 2015 campaign, he’s cooled down to earth and is plaguing the team’s chances at the same time.
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In the same token, opposing teams have been acknowledging his weak arm more often this season, and that has resulted in many extra bases. Although Granderson has always been an adequate fielder, his arm, or lack thereof, has been of no help to the young pitching staff.
Even without indulging ourselves in the head-scratching, late-inning debacle that transpired last night, it is obvious that New York needs help; maybe too much.
That, along with Grandy’s veteran presence, can explain why his starting job is relatively sturdy. However, maybe it doesn’t have to be.
There have been a slew of names tossed around that the Mets could possibly acquire at the deadline, and there’s also Brandon Nimmo, the team’s top hitting prospect who’s batting over .330 with Las Vegas (PCL) this season.
Rationally speaking, the Mets shouldn’t look to sacrifice their future — and multi-season window to win the World Series — just to make a run for the division this season. As evidenced by the success former Mets trade chips Michael Fulmer and John Gant are having with their new teams, it is a bit foolish to mortgage your future on one run.
But there are impending free agents who could help the Mets if needed at the deadline, and they might not cost the team that much either.
If Granderson sustains his offensive and defensive woes, the Mets might not be faced with much of a choice.
