Report: White Sox Could Make Serious Push For Granderson
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Curtis Granderson is coming off a nightmarish season, but it appears he will have his fair share of suitors when he files for unrestricted free agency.
The veteran outfielder's agent has made it clear he prefers to return to the Yankees, but according to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times the 32-year-old may be a target of affection for the White Sox.
The White Sox apparently are longing for power, speed and flexibility in the outfield and think due to Granderson's abilities and ties to the Chicago area he could be the right fit. Granderson grew up in nearby Lynwood, Ill., played high school ball Thornton Fractional South in Lansing and in college at Illinois-Chicago.
Granderson would certainly would fit the White Sox's needs, but his agent told the NY Post last week that the veteran outfielder doesn't want to go anywhere.
"That's his first choice," agent Matt Brown said of the Bronx. "He absolutely wants to stay there."
After hitting a combined 84 home runs and driving in 225 runs over the previous two seasons, Granderson never really got started in 2013. He was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken right forearm early in spring training and then, less than two weeks after returning, was hit on his left hand and suffered a broken pinky. When he finally did return he had missed 100 games and managed just a .229 average, 7 home runs and 15 RBIs the rest of the way.
"There's no getting around missing 100 games the year you're becoming a free agent isn't great," Brown told the Post.
The Yankees have hinted that they plan to try to come in under the $189 million luxury tax
payroll threshold next season. However, general manager Brian Cashman recently told WFAN's Mike Francesa nothing is set in stone.
It's believed the Yankees could offer Granderson a qualifying offer of slightly less than $14 million, about $1 million less than he made in 2013, the Post reported.
"It looks like we're probably headed down that road," Brown said. "But I think people remember what he did the previous two years."
In addition to the White Sox, it is believed when Granderson tests the unrestricted free agency waters, he could also draw interest from Boston and Texas, the Post reported.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
