By: Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays kicked off their 2016 Winter Meetings by signing veteran utility man Steve Pearce to a two-year, $12.5M deal on Monday.

Pearce, 33, joins the Blue Jays having played for a total of seven MLB franchises since breaking in with the Pittsburgh Pirates as a 24-year-old in 2007. Four of those teams hail from the American League East as the former 8th round pick has appeared with Baltimore, New York and Tampa Bay, respectively.

A career .254 hitter, the product of Lakeland, FL has slashed a respectable .269/.353/.499 with a career OPS of .852 off left-handed pitching since making his MLB debut with the Bucs and can play a number of different positions including both corner outfields as well as third, second and first base. That overall defensive versatility should help the 10-year vet see time next season as a possible platoon type with Justin Smoak at first base or in the outfield when needed.

Prior to a breakout campaign in 2014, Pearce was designated for assignment by the Orioles only to be claimed on waivers by the Blue Jays shortly after. Rather than accepting the claim, the then 31-year-old elected free agency and was later re-signed by Baltimore. He would go on to produce career highs in walks (40), stolen bases (5), doubles (26), home runs (21) and RBI (49) that season.

A string of injuries including both calf and hamstring ailments limited Pearce to only 85 games in 2016, a season that saw the former University of South Carolina standout slash .288/.384/.492 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI across 302 plate appearances on the year.

If there is a downside to the deal, it's the fact that Pearce has battled injuries for the better part of his MLB career. Having undergone forearm surgery earlier this offseason, it's likely that he sees the lion's share of his defensive innings at first base in 2017.

-Follow Andrew Hendriks on Twitter (@77hendriks)