Curtis Granderson Set to Step Up

Tigers management maintains a semblance of competition for center fielder but has quietly decided the job will go to Curtis Granderson, the 25-year-old rookie who burst onto the scene late last year to bat .272 with a near .500 slugging percentage in 161 AB. Though Granderson, who has had a dominant spring, is a lefty and could platoon with switchhitter Nook Logan, the full-time job will go to Granderson, who is the more polished of the two. It remains to be seen whether Logan, 26, is deemed ready to hold down the No. 5 outfielder's spot or needs to return to the minors. Either way Logan will never be able to match Granderson, who projects as a 25-homer, 25-steal player.