Detroit Tigers 2000-2009 All-Decade Team
By Matt Snyder
Center Field: Curtis Granderson
The Tigers’ resurgence in 2006 and byond was fueled by an influx of new talent, and much of it young talent. Few players had the immediate impact on the team and in the community that Curtis Granderson had.
It’s amazing to look back and see that he only played for the Tigers in four full seasons (2006-2009), but Curtis was an instant fan favorite and an incredibly productive player. His .828 OPS and plus center field defense as a member of the Tigers made him one of the most valuable players in the league.
Granderson’s 18.9 WAR from 2006-2009 (4.7 wins above replacement per year) was the 15th best mark in all of baseball among position players.
Even in his departure in the (somewhat sad) December 2009 trade, Granderson brought value to the Tigers. He and Edwin Jackson were sent out in exchange for Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson (and Phil Coke!) in a move that set the Tigers up for their next run of divisional dominance.