I get the business aspect of sports.

I stopped getting attached to athletes when I was around 17.

Players get traded from team to team, leave in free agency and retire all the time.

But this is different.

When I initially heard the Tigers were going to look at trading Curtis Granderson, I thought it was a joke. It made sense on a number of fronts: his contract is set to balloon in the next few years-it would get as high as about $13 million in 2013. His numbers at the plate have been on the decline. If the team was going to rebuild, he would be one of four or five players other teams would want.

All of that made sense.

Until the deal went through...

Earlier this afternoon, Curtis was dealt to the New York Yankees as a part of a three-team deal that sent Tigers No.-3 starter Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks, while Detroit picked up pitchers Max Scherzer (Arizona) and Phil Coke (NYY), along with outfield prospect Austin Jackson (NYY), who is said to eventually replace Curtis in centerfield.

While some people are saying Granderson will be a part-time player in the Big Apple. I think he'll start for the Bombers, as both Johnny Damon, who started in the outfield for the Yankees last season, and DH Hideki Matsui are free agents on the downside of the their careers who will be expecting big paydays.

I hate to see Grandy go. I never owned a jersey of a player from any Detroit team until I got a Granderson jersey for my birthday in 2006. That was the first summer he played full time, and Curtis was a catalyst in a lot of big wins that year. He also contributed greatly to a lot of fun nights at Comerica Park.

I hate to see Grandy go, but, for him, there could be a silver lining. He's made for Madison Avenue. ESPN gave him a blog two years ago BEFORE he became an all-star. He's been featured as an analyst as a part of TBS' postseason coverage the past two seasons, as well, getting his face out in the mainstream. Curtis has also started many charitable organizations that benefit the youth of Detroit and surrounding areas. He's easily been the most visible Tiger since he's gotten here. If he's able to keep that up in New York, and get his batting average up, he could be a huge star.

In a sense, Granderson is Derek Jeter Lite: a little overrated on the field; comes up clutch at times, but in a place like New York, you can make more money off the field than on it if you play it right.

Sure, Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long will have his work cut out for him with Granderson. Curtis couldn't hit a pitch off a lefty if the guy was throwing a beach ball to the plate. His career .210 batting average against left-handed pitching is a cause for concern, but if he doesn't have to hit leadoff, which I'm assuming he won't, that could help him out.

I hate this move. I can see Detroit is looking to build for the long-term, but Granderson should have been in those plans. Look at all the bad contracts the Tigers have: Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis. But that's the problem. No other team wants those guys. If you're going to rebuild, you can only deal players other teams covet.

But fans don't have to be happy about it. I expect season ticket sales to take a major dip. I would go as far as to say the only sellouts they have will be when Justin Verlander pitches or when New York, Boston, the White Sox or Indians come to town. That or when it's a picturesque day outside.

The Tigers will be running all kinds of specials next season. You'll be able to get a ticket, pop, hot dog, T-shirt and pretzel for $13.85. I can't wait for "Bring Your Own Hot N Ready Day."

As a fan, this sucks. My Granderson jersey has a permanent home on a hanger now. But as someone who knows and understands the business of sports, the deal makes all the sense in the world. "Buy low, sell high" is the motto. That's what GM Dave Dombrowski did.

But I don't have to like it.

May 10-13. Tigers/Yankees. Comerica Park.

I'll be there cheering. But I'll be wear...I'll be wearing pin...I'll be wearing pinstripes.

Man, that was hard.