Though many in and out of the Yankees organization believe the offseason will be empty if another starter isn’t added, center fielder Curtis Granderson is comfortable going into next season with the same cast that was eliminated by the Tigers in the ALDS after winning the AL East.
“We won the division,’’ Granderson said yesterday. “For the most part the team is ready to go. If we keep it healthy, we are ready to go.’’
Granderson spoke at the refurbished playground of Woodlawn’s P.S. 19 in The Bronx, where he participated in a Wiffle ball home run derby that raised $1,500 for the school.
The impressive playground was a project supported by the Yankees, the American Dairy Association & Dairy Council, Bronx borough president Ruben Diaz and the Department of Education.
So far this winter the Yankees have kept ace CC Sabathia away from free agency and re-signed veteran Freddy Garcia.
They have been low-key on free agents C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Edwin Jackson. They are monitoring if the White Sox put lefty John Danks on the trading block. The White Sox have an interest in Dellin Betances but not as the centerpiece to the deal.
“You want to win the division now, especially with the new playoffs [format], you don’t want to rely on one game,’’ Granderson said.
Granderson, the Yankees’ player representative, was elated a five-year collective bargaining agreement was agreed to before the Dec. 11 deadline and that it included HGH testing.
As for finishing fourth in the AL MVP race despite leading the majors in runs scored (136), hitting 41 homers and driving in 119 runs, Granderson opted to praise winner Justin Verlander, a former Tigers teammate.
“Verlander did everything possible to help his team,’’ Granderson said. “I sent my congratulations. It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.’’
* With Derek Jeter signed through at least 2013 and Eduardo Nunez being looked at as Jeter’s possible replacement, the Yankees don’t have a need at shortstop. But general manager Brian Cashman offered a “would not say’’ when asked if the Yankees had an interest in Hiroyuki Nakajima, a shortstop from the Seibu Lions who was posted yesterday.