Report: Phillies, Blue Jays discussing Granderson

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly talking to the Toronto Blue Jays about veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic on Monday.

Philadelphia apparently views Granderson as a potentially productive left-handed bat off the bench down the stretch run who could also start in the outfield on occasion. There's a sudden need for an additional outfielder on the team's bench, as struggling outfielder Aaron Altherr was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday.

Besides his natural fit on the roster as a player, the 37-year-old Granderson would also bring his sterling reputation as a veteran leader to a young Phillies clubhouse that's experiencing a pennant race for the first time.

Granderson joined the Blue Jays during the offseason, following his unproductive late-season stint with the NL champion Dodgers one year ago. He's turned in a solid first half for the Canadian club, hitting .230/.337/.417 with nine homers and 15 doubles over 81 games while spending time at all three outfield positions.

The majority of his plate appearances this year have come against right-handed pitching, and Granderson's excelled in this platoon role. He'd fill a major need for the Phillies in this sense, as manager Gabe Kapler currently lacks a left-handed bench bat beyond rookie Mitch Walding, who's gone hitless in his first 14 big-league plate appearances.

Granderson's 2018 splits

Granderson is earning $5 million this season.