Curtis Granderson tweaks Yankees, says he's been told 'true New Yorkers are ...
Phelan M. Ebenhack/APLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - There is no going back now. Curtis Granderson not only put on a Mets jersey for the first time Tuesday, but he took on the long-suffering fanbase on his shoulders and the franchise's new $60-million outfielder lobbed a salvo back across town.
'A lot of the people I've met in New York have always said true New Yorkers are Mets fans,' the former Yankees outfielder said after being introduced at the Winter Meetings. 'So I'm excited to get a chance to see them all out there.'
The Mets officially introduced Granderson, who signed four-year contract, at a press conference here at the Winter Meetings. Sandy Alderson touted the signing as a big step in the franchise's turnaround.
'Curtis' professional record, I think, is well known to many. He's a winner, No. 1, and not only a class professional, but a class individual,' the Mets general manager said. 'We're very fortunate to have him with us, and we think that he will bring an added dimension to us. We're looking forward to having him with us over the next several years, and I think that he and others will lead us to some great success over those years.'
Granderson cited Alderson's plan to turn the Mets from five straight losing seasons into a winner, saying he confirmed it with Mets captain David Wright. He added that staying in New York, where he played with the Yankees for four season, was a big factor in his decision to sign with the Mets.
'I'm really excited to be in the New York Mets organization. I heard a lot about them, learning a lot about them. Great chance to be with some good teammates and an organization that is very prideful, tradition, and a great city and the best market to play in,' Granderson said after slipping on a No.3 Mets jersey. 'Overly excited to stay in New York and continue my career as a New York Met, and to go out there and win, and win as often as possible. Excited to start my career today as a New York Met, so thank you very much for that. And we'll continue on.'
But Granderson also admitted they were the only team that gave him a fourth year on the contract and that was key in the negotiations.
Wright said last week he was thrilled with the Mets adding Granderson, calling him a 'winner,' and 'character guy.' Granderson said that Wright, who reached out to him at the end of the season played a part in his decision.
'David Wright was very important in that,' Granderson said. 'He was actually one of the first people to contact me via text before we even got to the negotiation part with the Mets. He was one of the first people to congratulate me.
'I got a chance to play against David Wright in the Florida State League in 2003, and ever since then we've always had a relationship from afar. But whenever we get a chance to talk to each other, the conversation is like we've known each other our whole career. I'm really excited to get a chance to play with him. And now I just found out we've been living right next door to each other. So that will hopefully remain or be relatively close to that and we'll be on the field together going out and winning baseball games.'
Sidelined by two freak, hit-by-pitch injuries in 2013, Granderson was limited to just 61 games. His numbers the two previous seasons, however, were enough for the Mets to think he was a good fit. 2013 was one of only two full seasons in which Granderson has hit fewer than 20 home runs over the past eight seasons.
But he is not exactly the perfect fit.
Granderson struck out 364 times in 1,179 plate appearances in 2011 and 2012. At the same time, however, he hit 84 home runs and drove in 225 runs over the 2011-12 seasons.
'No one likes to strike out to be sure, I know he has been a high strikeout guy even in Detroit but he has also had a lot of production,' Mets hitting coach Dave Hudgens said of Granderson. 'If the production is there you don't mind the K's.'
While 47 of those 84 homers came at the very hitter-frieldy Yankee Stadium, Granderson thinks his production will translate to the National League and even the pitcher-friendly Citi Field.
'There's 30 ballparks and all of them are different in their own way. They all have pros and cons no matter what it happens to be,' Granderson said. 'I'm looking forward to getting out there, and one, playing defense, two, hitting the baseball, seeing where it's going to bounce around, getting a chance to run and seeing some great fans come out there. '
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