Granderson, Mets have get-to-know-you meeting

NEW YORK -- Last month, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson dined with Robinson Cano's agents, including Jay-Z, at a posh Manhattan hotel. A few weeks later, Alderson continued his dinner circuit with what appears to be a more serious pursuit of outfielder Curtis Granderson.

Alderson dined with Granderson on Sunday night in San Diego, touching base with a power-hitting outfielder who could fill one of the team's most pressing needs.

"We ate a nice meal, and it was great to enjoy some salmon," Granderson said on a conference call Tuesday to announce Tony Clark's appointment as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. "Other than that, it was kind of what you would expect: a conversation, a Q&A and continue the process moving forward."

Asked if he had any additional meetings on his calendar, Granderson quipped that he had one scheduled with union executives later Tuesday afternoon. Neither Alderson nor Granderson's agent, Matt Brown, returned messages seeking comment.

Seafood aside, a marriage between Granderson and the Mets would make sense on multiple levels. Granderson, 32, is accustomed to playing in New York, having spent the past four seasons with the Yankees. He took to the city, hitting 84 homers from 2011-12 before multiple injuries derailed his '13 season.

The Mets, meanwhile, are searching for a corner outfielder to pair with Chris Young and Juan Lagares, potentially pushing Eric Young Jr. into a utility role. Granderson's left-handed power would also make it easier for the team to part with one of their first basemen, Ike Davis or Lucas Duda, perhaps in a deal for starting pitching.

But no marriage is perfect. There are significant questions regarding Granderson's ability to transition from Yankee Stadium -- arguably the most left-handed power-friendly ballpark in the Majors -- to a more neutral Citi Field. Granderson will also be 33 on Opening Day and is coming off an injury-plagued season.

Then there is the matter of money. The Mets have openly balked at the prospect of handing out nine-figure deals to top free agents Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo, and they're not expected to pursue marquee free agents at any position. While Granderson would certainly come cheaper than Ellsbury or Choo, the industry assumption is that he can land a four-year deal in the neighborhood of $60 million.

A popular clubhouse presence in New York, Granderson has already been linked to the Yankees, Cubs and White Sox, among others.

"The free-agent market has been enjoyable," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited about what the next step and chapter is in my baseball career."

Last month, Alderson, assistant GM John Ricco and COO Jeff Wilpon met with Cano's representatives at a Manhattan hotel. The GM later defined the meeting as more of an introduction to Jay-Z, who recently founded the talent agency Roc Nation Sports, than a negotiation session.