Four Years For Curtis Granderson?

Also, Granderson has been seeking a four-year deal.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) December 3, 2013

With Fox's Ken Rosenthal breaking the news that the Sandy Alderson met with free agent outfielder Curtis Granderson on Sunday, the Mets fan base was immediately sent into a tizzy yesterday afternoon.  An offseason left for dead, was it possible that the Mets would suddenly land what many would consider to be the biggest power hitter on the free agent market?

Probably not, as Krister Ackert soon reported that no deal was imminent, but that's really not the issue at hand.  As shown above, Mike Puma reported last night that Curtis Granderson still seeks at four year deal.  So what do you think?  Would you issue a four year contract to player who will be thirty-three when he reports to spring training next year?

It all comes down to the price tag for me.  I wouldn't hesitate to give Granderson a four year deal, provided its within reason.  With the exception of 2013, during which he suffered two separate fractures upon being hit by pitches, Granderson has appeared in 136 games or more in every season since 2006.  His health has been sound.  He provides both some speed, and most importantly the potential to hit 30+ home runs. Remember.. as we've written here before, his power should translate well to Citi Field.

So whats the right number?  There are some rumblings that it will take 4 years and $60 million dollars to land Granderson.  That's a deal I'd make in a heartbeat.  I think that number ends up being low.  I suspect if he does sign for just four years, its more along the lines of $70 to $75 million.  That only scares me because I don't think that's a realm the Mets would dare to enter.  That's really what this comes down to.

ICYMI: Mets Can't Afford Anyone

I don't mean to start your Monday morning off with bad news, but its becoming more and more likely that the Mets can't afford free agents this winter.  Over the weekend, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that the Mets fear they will be priced out of mid-market free agents such as Curtis Granderson and Nelson Cruz.

Have no fear though, its because Marlon Byrd's shiny new contract with the Phillies worth as much as 3yr/$24MM, has sent the market soaring, not because the Wilpon's have no money.  For a third consecutive offseason, the Mets front office doesn't want to pay market price for anything resembling a competent major leaguer.  Remember..the free agent prices are "scarey", said Jeff Wilpon last week.

Despite Sandy Alderson reassuring fans that the organization plans to spend more on the free agent market than it did last winter (a whopping $5MM), I remain increasingly skeptical.  Look, I can sympathize with the Mets not wanting to blow half the budget on one player, but something has to give here.  Fans want to see players they can get excited about, not another cheap crop of low risk/high reward has beens.

The Mets like to say they don't want to commit too much to a player with obvious flaws.  That's a swell way of thinking until you realized that the players who aren't flawed are the ones who will make in excess of $100MM this winter.  There are no perfect players when your trolling the same shallow end of the free agent pool where Sandy has set anchor in previous offseasons.  The Mets aren't entrenched there because they want to be, they are being priced out of the market because they can't afford them.  Its that easy...