MANHATTAN — The Yankees have made a three-way trade to acquire All Star center fielder Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers, according to news reports.
In the deal, sources told the Daily News an the New York Post that the Bombers are dealing Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke, with Coke and Jackson bound for the Tigers and Kennedy off to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The trade has not been finalized because the players first have to pass a physical, the News reported. The deal could be solidified by Wednesday, according to the Post.
Granderson, 28, hit .249 with 30 home runs, 71 RBI, scored 90 runs and stole 20 bases last season. Despite good power numbers, Granderson does not always make consistent contact at the plate. Last season, his on-base percentage was just .327, he struck out 141 times and his average against lefties was a woeful .183.
The left-handed slugger has $25.75 million left on his contract.
In the trade, the Bombers are giving up their top hitting prospect in Jackson, who batted .300 with four home runs, 65 RBI, 24 stolen bases and 67 runs scored in 132 games for Triple-A Scranton last season, according to the News.
Two years ago, the Yankees declined to part with Kennedy in a trade with the Minnesota Twins that would have brought eventual Mets ace Johan Santana to the Bronx. Back then, Kennedy was viewed as an untradeable pitching prospect, along with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. But Kennedy never lived up to the Yanks' big league expectations.
Granderson is viewed as a defensive upgrade over last season's starting center fielder Melky Cabrera. The move creates a glut of outfielders for the Yankees, and will likely mean the departure of either Johnny Damon or World Series MVP Hideki Matsui.
