Everyone thought the Yankees traded for Curtis Granderson to provide stability in center field. Turns out, he might not be the answer after all.
According to MLB.com, Granderson would be willing to play left field while Brett Gardner and Randy Winn patrol the middle of the Yanks’ outfield. Granderson has played left field just twice in 614 games since 2005, both in 2007, but he doesn’t think the switch would be an issue.
“People forget that I came up as a left fielder,” Granderson told the Web site. “In the minor leagues all the way up to Double-A, I didn’t start playing center field consistently until my second year in the minors. Even when I came to the big leagues, I played a few games in left. I have no problem going back over there if that happens to be.”
An extra outfield spot opened up for the Yankees when they traded Melky Cabrera to the Braves for Javier Vasquez. With Gardner thrust into a potential starting role, the merits of him versus Granderson in center came up.
Gardner is a speedy, natural center fielder, and the debate about who should play where is just beginning. Both are above-average defensively and present a quandary most managers would love to have. Whoever Joe Girardi puts in left will be tested on Opening Day by the Green Monster on April 4 at Fenway Park.
