NEW YORK -- With the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan serving as the backdrop, Curtis Granderson shrugged off trade rumors and expressed a willingness to remain in New York beyond the 2017 season.
Granderson arrived at the library by riding a Citi Bike from one block away to promote his Grand Kids Foundation charity dinner. The Foundation will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with a dinner at the library on Aug. 7.
That didn't leave Granderson immune to questions surrounding his future in New York. A small possibility exists that he may be one of the players the Mets might try and move before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31, and he is set to become a free agent at the end of this season.
"The biggest thing with the rumors right now is they're exactly that," Granderson said. "They're just rumors."
Granderson reiterated that he has been part of trade rumors throughout his 14-year career, but he has only been dealt once, when the Tigers sent him to the Yankees after the 2009 season. The 36-year-old entered Friday's game against the A's with a slash line of .224/.325/.456 with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs.
"We have no say in who gets traded, whether we get guys or lose guys," Granderson said. "But we have a say in terms of how we go out there and play."
Regardless of being traded or not, it's likely Granderson will not be back with the Mets next season as they look to alleviate the congestion in the outfield that has recently seen Granderson assume more of a reserve role in recent weeks. But Granderson hasn't ruled out returning with the Mets.
"If the opportunity presents itself and [the Mets] show the interest, just like they did prior, when I was [last] a free agent, I would love to [be back]," Granderson said. "This has been a great organization, a great city base, a great fan base. The guys on this team have been really cool to me, and I've enjoyed playing here for four years."

Granderson's long commitment to giving back culminated with him receiving the 2016 Roberto Clemente Award, which is MLB's most prestigious individual award for his contributions in the community. Between four years with the Yankees and 3 1/2 seasons with the Mets, his impact has been felt throughout the greater New York area, as well as in his hometown of Chicago and in Michigan, where he began his career with Detroit.
The library, Granderson said, is an ideal place to hold an event for his charity, considering the pillars of his foundation rely on education, diversity and keeping kids active. And while baseball may not be a part of Granderson's life for much longer, his foundation definitely will.
"If baseball happens to come to an end, the Grand Kids Foundation is going to continue to keep moving," Granderson said. "We're at 10 years, and I want to see us get to 20 years, I want to see us get to 30 years and beyond … Whenever my baseball career happens to finish up, I'm definitely going to be involved with the Grand Kids foundation."