NYT suggests move is attempt to improve Granderson's hitting.
Curtis Granderson played some of his best baseball in the four years Kevin Long served as his hitting coach. Granderson became a dynamic power threat, albeit in a hitters’ park, and at times had success against left-handed pitching.
So it came as no surprise when the Mets announced Thursday that they had hired Long as their hitting coach. Long had spent the previous eight years with the Yankees, helping veterans like Granderson perform in baseball’s biggest market. In a statement, Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson called Long “the perfect fit.”
Although the Mets may never admit it publicly, Granderson’s signing is weighing on them. Last off-season, they made him their most expensive free-agent addition in years, hoping he would bring leadership and power. But his debut season was troublesome. Granderson, who will turn 34 in March, batted just .227 and drove in 66 runs. He is still owed about $45 million over the next three years, a huge sum for the frugal Mets.
Already this off-season, the Mets have decided to move in the right-field fences at Citi Field, most likely with Granderson in mind. Of the 20 home runs Granderson hit in the regular season, only seven came at home.
Mets hope to compete next season, but lack hitters. Hoping that the new coach and the shorter RF will make Granderson more like Werth??
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/sports/baseball/mets-hire-kevin-long-a-hitting-coach-fired-by-the-yankees.html?mabReward=RI%3A10&action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine
