MIAMI — Curtis Granderson has a simple reason for not breaking bats in frustration over his nosedive.
“There’s never been a point in breaking bats — then I’ve got nothing to swing with the next at-bat,” the Mets outfielder said Wednesday.
Granderson’s season has progressed in a manner that would leave him responsible for killing half the trees in Yellowstone Park if he were into bat breaking.
For the second time in four games he was on the bench, as the Mets played their series finale against the Marlins. Manager Terry Collins cited wanting to get Kirk Nieuwenhuis a start in right field, but left unsaid was the fact Granderson entered the day in a 1-for-26 (.038) free fall.
Since Aug. 1, he was 16-for-118 (.136) with only two extra-base hits. The Mets need much better from a player who received a four-year deal from the club last offseason worth $60 million.
Collins has mentioned the same factors all season as possibly affecting Granderson, ranging from the adjustment to playing half his games at spacious Citi Field to trying to learn National League pitchers after spending a decade in the American League.
“I think he realizes this is part of the game and you’re going to have times like this, a year like this,” Collins said. “He hasn’t had very many and you’re looking at last year, this guy didn’t play very much and he’s come back and he’s healthy and, cripes, he’s going to play 145 games, coming back from playing [61], that’s a huge jump.
“I know one thing, because of his demeanor he’s going to make adjustments he thinks he’s got to make to make sure next year is a better year. All I’m trying to do is make sure the next 3 ½ weeks are better.”
Along the way, Granderson has been booted from the leadoff spot, giving Juan Lagares an opportunity to claim the job heading into next season. Granderson entered play Wednesday with a slash line of .210/.313/.354.
What would Granderson like to get from the remainder of this season?
“We’ve still got a lot of games left to play and be in a position as leader and a veteran guy on this team to play hard, have fun, enjoy,” Granderson said. “The guys who get called up in September, provide any information to them as needed and go out there and continue to play 100 percent like I always do.”
When the Mets signed Granderson, his potential to hit 25-30 homers a season was a significant factor. But Collins indicated Granderson, who entered play with 16 homers, might have to change his approach.
“I still feel we’ve got to, as we get into spring training — or even the last month — continue to think about trying to drive those balls in the middle of the field,” Collins said. “He can do that kind of damage and I saw those numbers at Comerica Park. He can become a doubles, triples [guy] and still hit home runs.”