Blue Jays Add Outfield Depth by Signing Curtis Granderson

PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 31: Los Angeles Dodgers Outfield Curtis Granderson (6) walks to the dugout during the MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 31, 2017 at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ (Photo by Adam Bow/Icon Sportswire)

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The Toronto Blue Jays added a left-handed bat to their outfield mix by signing Curtis Granderson on Monday evening. He’s well past his prime and will likely be put in a platoon situation to start the season.

The 37-year-old has been a much more acceptable fantasy performer in OBP leagues instead of batting average leagues. Granderson hasn’t hit over .250 since 2011, and last year his batting average sat at just .212. A 13.5% BB% helped boost his OBP to .323. Additionally, he hit 26 homers in 527 plate appearances while even chipping in six steals. I’d expect similar production this season if he can get enough at-bats.

The lefty-swinging Granderson has a noticeable platoon split. He sported a .806 OPS against right-handed pitchers last season, but that mark tumbled down to .668 against lefties. For his career, the values are similar, at .854 and .696, respectively. With Granderson’s platoon split and inability to still play acceptable center field defense, he looks to be in a platoon situation with right-handed hitters Steve Pearce and Teoscar Hernandez.

If the plate appearances get evenly split, they’re each likely to get around 400 plate appearances in 2018, making them largely unplayable in most 15-team leagues and shallower leagues. That said, I could see the Blue Jays wanting to give Hernandez the chance to grow with regular at-bats and platooning Pearce and Granderson. It’s a situation to track once spring training starts up.

Previous Hot Stove Analysis

Giants Trade for Andrew McCutchen

Astros Acquire Gerrit Cole

Twins Grab Their Closer, Sign Addison Reed

Mets Bring Back Jay Bruce on Three-Year Deal

Toronto Acquires Yangervis Solarte from San Diego

Royals, Dodgers, and White Sox Complete Three-Way Trade

Rockies Fill Closer Vacancy with Wade Davis

Arizona Adds Bullpen Depth with Yoshihisa Hirano

Indians Fill First-Base Void with Yonder Alonso

Brewers Bolster Rotation with Jhoulys Chacin

Orioles Lose Zach Britton, Brad Brach Likely Closer