Blue Jays sign Curtis Granderson

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Curtis Granderson to a one-year, $5-million contract. Photo Credit: Matt Slocum/AP Photo

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO - Pending a customary physical, the Toronto Blue Jays and free-agent outfielder Curtis Granderson have come to terms on a one-year, $5M pact that includes incentives.

Granderson, who will turn 37 on Opening Day, is a career .252 hitter with 319 home runs and three All-Star appearances across parts of 14 major league seasons.

In 147 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets last season, the left-handed swinging veteran appeared at all three outfield positions and slashed .212/.323/.452 with 52 extra-base hits, 26 of which left the yard.

With 123 strikeouts in 2017, there is some swing and miss to Granderson's game. That said, the former third-round draft pick still exhibits an eye at the dish as evidenced by the fact that he's drawn 70+ walks in four of his last five seasons, with an injury-shortened 2013 campaign being the exception.

Earlier this off-season, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins hinted at the team's desire to add a veteran presence to the clubhouse. The type of experienced player that can emerge as a leader for some of the Blue Jays' younger talent. Given his reputation both on and off the diamond, Granderson fits this description well.

With a proven ability to hit righties, look for the Blue Jays' newest acquisition to split time with Steve Pearce as a platoon in 2018.

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