The Dodgers are definitely all-in.
The team with the best record in baseball added another piece to their championship puzzle on Friday when they acquired outfielder Curtis Granderson from the New York Mets for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Dodgers have acquired Curtis Granderson and cash considerations from Mets in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 19, 2017
Just two years removed from the World Series, Granderson joins a Dodgers team that is looking to attend their first Fall Classic in 29 years.
The 36-year-old Granderson is batting .228 with 19 home runs and 52 RBI in 111 games with the Mets this season, but has been hitting better as of late.
In his last 71 games, Granderson is batting .276 with 40 runs, 13 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 38 RBI.
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Over the course of his career with the Tigers, Yankees, and Mets, the three-time All-Star is batting .254 with 312 home runs and 853 RBI.
Granderson can play all three outfield positions, and is expected to spell current center fielder Joc Pederson who has been struggling at the plate the last month.
Official statement from the team on Curtis Granderson #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/fYxiWLflUX— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) August 19, 2017
Additionally, Granderson gives the Dodgers a true leadoff hitter and another veteran presence in the clubhouse. It will be interesting to see how the Dodgers use Granderson moving forward especially with rosters expand in a couple weeks for September call-ups.
The Dodgers could option Pederson down to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the final two weeks of the minor league season and recall him in September.
It's not a certainty that Granderson will play everyday either, especially with the return of Adrian Gonzalez moving rookie Cody Bellinger to the outfield.
The addition of Granderson will provide the already deep Dodgers roster with even more depth moving forward and into the postseason where Granderson as a.920 or higher OPS against right-handers Tanner Roark and Max Scherzer of the Nationals, and a 1.070 OPS against Jake Arrieta of the Cubs.
To make room for Granderson on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-hander Dylan Floro for assignment Floro was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on August 4, and appeared in three games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Below is the video of Granderson's final interview with the Mets.
Curtis Granderson says goodbye to the Mets. pic.twitter.com/OipEsTYWBC— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 19, 2017