MLB

Granderson preparing for free agency

In the Yankees’ worst season in more than two decades, Yankees manager Joe Girardi called Curtis Granderson’s second broken bone the most deflating injury of 2013. Now, with the hard-luck outfielder about to hit free agency, he might not be back for 2014.

“I’m not the one writing the checks here, so I can’t answer that. Talk to those people up there that do that,’’ Granderson said of free agency before the Yankees faced the Rays Wednesday night at the Stadium. “At the same time, I’m looking forward to it. It’s my first time ever getting an opportunity to do it. We’ll see how it all plays out.’’

When asked, Granderson said he would like to return to the Yankees.

“Yes. I enjoyed my time here,” said Granderson, 32. “It’s been four seasons. It’s been great, the organization from top to bottom has been good to me.

“I’ve enjoyed the city, I’ve enjoyed everything about it. [But] at the same time, it’s definitely a business. We’ll see how it all ends up shaping out.’’

The lefty-swinging Granderson has made good use of the short porch in right since arriving from Detroit in December 2009, clubbing 84 homers combined the prior two seasons.

But it has been a rough season for Granderson, who was hit by a pitch in his first spring training at-bat, suffering a fractured right wrist that cost him the first six weeks of the season.

When Granderson finally returned to the Yankees lineup, he lasted just eight games before getting hit on the left hand on May 24, a broken fifth left metacarpal keeping him out until Aug. 2.

“Maybe the [injury] that people talk about from an emotion standpoint was how bad everyone felt when Curtis broke his hand the second time,’’ said Girardi. “You could just see the difficulty he was having and we all kind of felt it for him because of what he’s meant to this team and the person he is. That was hard for all of us.’’

With Alex Rodriguez’s suspension looming, Alfonso Soriano aging, Mark Teixeira declining and Derek Jeter a question mark, the Yankees could use Granderson’s power.

Despite his uncertain future, Granderson said he’s not worried about going into the market having missed two-thirds of the season, 98 games to be exact.

“No, not at all,’’ Granderson said. “You get an opportunity to see if there is any interest out there. You get a chance to make a decision finally for the first time in your career.’’

In a market that includes the younger and healthier Shin-Soo Choo and Hunter Pence, it’s hard to say what Granderson can garner. Nick Swisher got a four-year, $56 million deal from the Indians, and Granderson likely will be in that $12-15 million range annually, but it remains to be seen if he can get a fourth year.

Granderson could opt to take a shorter deal, prove his health to rebuild his value, and bid for a bigger contract next offseason.

“I don’t know. We’ll see how it ends up shaping up,’’ Granderson said. “I haven’t thought about it much. It’ll definitely be something to consider. We’ll look and see, compare it to the potential options that happen to be out there. … We’re still over a month from that day.’’