MLB Rumors: Orioles expressing interest in Curtis Granderson

With the winter meetings in full swing, the trade rumors are heating up around Major League Baseball. After re-signing outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, the New York Mets plan to move an outfielder in a deal this week and might have found a trade partner in the Baltimore Orioles.

The New York Mets are shopping both outfielders Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce, but the Baltimore Orioles are more interested in Granderson, according to MLB Fox reporter Ken Rosenthal. In return, the Mets are reportedly asking for relief pitcher Brad Brach.

All-Star Adam Jones patrols center field for the Orioles, so Granderson wouldn’t be able to play his most natural position in Baltimore, but the Orioles are looking to fill a hole in right. Baltimore would like to re-sign Mark Trumbo, who played some right last year, but he could demand a major contract after leading the American League with 47 home runs.

Granderson did play some right field while with the Yankees from 2010-13. Last season, he hit .237 with 30 home runs, 59 RBI, 88 runs, four stolen bases and a .799 OPS.

Back when he played his home games at hitter-friendly Yankees stadium, Granderson posted back-to-back 40-home run years. In 2011, he actually led the league with 199 RBI and 136 runs while hitting .262 with a .916 OPS.

Granderson will turn 36 next March, so there’s no guarantee he will get close to 40 homers again, but with a home run ballpark like Camden Yards and playing a lot of games in other AL East stadiums will certainly help.

The Mets have expressed interest in Brach to help bolster the back end of the bullpen. Brach posted a terrific 2.05 ERA, 1.038 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 rate in 79.0 innings last season.

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He made his first All-Star team with a 0.91 ERA and 0.831 WHIP at the break, but actually, he wasn’t as dominant in the second half. After the All-Star Game, he was 4-3 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.382 WHIP.