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MLB Offseason 2017: Top 50 free agents

By Joshua Sadlock

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a solo home run in the ninth inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on September 27, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a solo home run in the ninth inning of the MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on September 27, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 25: Curtis Granderson #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 25: Curtis Granderson #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

48. Curtis Granderson

The decision to trade for veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson hasn’t played out very well for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the 36-year-old is still an interesting name for teams to consider on the cheap in this year’s class of free agents. Granderson hit only .161/.288/.366 in 36 games with the Dodgers after being acquired from the New York Mets and will not play in the World Series.

Granderson still has pop when he runs into a pitch. Overall, he hit .228/.323/.452 on the year with 26 home runs and 64 RBI. He did put together a stretch from early May to the middle of August where he hit .273/.393/.586 with 17 home runs in 80 games. Granderson just flat wore out down the stretch, which makes sense given his status as a 14-year veteran.

The Mets were forced into asking too much from Granderson this year thanks to a spate of injuries. His place on an MLB roster going forward is as a platoon corner outfielder or part-time DH. He is still a very patient hitter and respected presence in any clubhouse, so it would make sense for a team to give him a few million dollars for 2018 with an option for the next season.

If teams shy away from Granderson due to his age or struggles with the Dodgers, there are other options. Austin Jackson had a strong season with the Cleveland Indians in a part-time role. Rajai Davis is another name to consider and still stole 29 bases last season at the age of 37.

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