Grandy-man to Flushing. Granderson will make a difference for the Mets in many ways.

The New York Mets have reached agreement with Curtis Granderson on a four-year, $60 million deal. 

When I got home form work and saw this, I was happy. I like this move, and like even more that the Mets ponied up and gave Granderson the 4th year to get him to come to Flushing. 

Curtis Granderson was a pin striped enemy in my home, and now is an orange and blue beacon of hope in what was an abysmal Citi Field outfield. To say that he had some huge years in the Bronx, is an understatement. Since arriving from the Tigers, Granderson  averaged 37 home runs and 98 RBI per 162 games. We all know that those numbers were inflated in the small Yankee Stadiums (yes both of them). Evidence of the impact that the stadium had on Granderson was also evident in his batting average, which steadily declined over the last three years. 

With what speed he has left, I feel will do wonders for his game at Citi Field. It is no secret that his power numbers will decline in the vast outfield at his new home park. My hope is we see the difference made up in the extra base hits, on base percentage, and batting average. Putting someone like that in front of David Wright, could be good for the Mets Captain. If he finds a way to solve the quandary that is hitting home runs at Citi, then you have a bat that can protect David Wright, something that New York has not had consistently in a long time. 

There is a negative with his signing, and it comes in the form off the saying, "fool me twice". Since the erroneous and ridiculous contract given to the last 'big time' free agent outfielder signed by the Mets, Jason Bay in 2009, they have not given any big time free agent money to that position. 

Jason Bay was signed to play for the Mets, for 4 years and $66 million. His first year he played only 95 games. He suffered a concussion in a game against the Dodgers. He finished his season with a .259 batting average, only six home runs (he hit 36 the year before), 47 RBIs, and scored 48 runs. The hope was the injury was the reason for the poor production, and it may well have been. Unfortunately, Bay's production at in any aspect never recovered back to his Pirates or Re Sox levels. 

Granderson comes in with a great four years behind him in the Bronx. He is the first bonfied Mets free agent signing since the aforementioned Jason Bay. He gives the Mets a bat, a good outfielder, and a star name that could entice some free agents to come to Flushing and play. With lots of names out there still, maybe this signing can convince some of the 'B' list free agents to come to the Mets. 

It is a shame that Grandeson's first contract year, he will not be able to patrol the outfield for Matt Harvey. His signing does show the Mets are getting back into spending money, and maybe by the time Harvey does come back for 2015, there are a few more big names in orange and blue, and our starting rotation is healthy and plugging away. Harvey, Wheeler, Syndergaard, and Niese provide a good foundation for a bright future. Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel.