Toronto Blue Jays acquire Randal Grichuk from St. Louis Cardinals

After signing Curtis Granderson, the Toronto Blue Jays continue to add to their outfield again trading for Randal Grichuk.

Well, you can put to bed any speculation of the Toronto Blue Jays adding another outfielder, as the team took care of the need on Friday, acquiring Randal Grichuk from the St. Louis Cardinals.

In return, the Cards received reliever Dominic Leone and pitching prospect Connor Greene.

Grichuk entered the league in 2014 as a 22-year-old. His role with the Cardinals steadily improved over the last four seasons.

In 2016, he had a career-high in games played with 132. He put up a .240 batting average, with 24 home runs, 68 RBI’s, and 29 doubles.

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Last season, Grichuk played the first 45 games with St. Louis. He hit .215 with three homers and 16 RBI’s. He was sent down to improve his game. Grichuk played 14 games with AAA Memphis and even featured in a game with AA Springfield. After that, the outfielder returned to St. Louis, where he would finish out the season.

He finished with a .238/.285/.473 slash line with 22 home runs, and 59 RBI’s.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins spoke to the media about the trade and what their expectations for the 26-year-old.

In his first season with the Blue Jays, Leone had a solid showing. He had a 2.56 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP while racking up 81 strikeouts and 23 walks in 70.1 IP.

Greene was the 11th ranked prospect in the Jays system. The 22-year-old was a seventh-round pick of the Jays back in 2013.

The righty spent all last season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where he made 26 appearances, 25 of which were starts.

Greene finished with a 5-10 record to go along with a 5.29 ERA, 92 strikeouts and 83 walks over 132.2 IP.

For the Blue Jays, this trade leaves them with a handful of outfielders to choose from going into spring training.

Kevin Pillar will occupy one of the starting outfield positions, presumably centre-field. The Jays have to work out their corner outfield starters before opening day. Grichuk will be an opening day starter. There’s also the possibility that one of Teoscar Hernandez or Anthony Alford catches fire in the spring and earns a roster spot.

This is the exact pinch where the Jays could be helped out by the platoon unit of Steve Pearce and Granderson in left field, with Pillar in centre and Grichuk in right. Atkins also spoke about the flexibility that this trade brings.

Grichuk is another cost-effective pickup for the Jays. He will make $2.6 million in 2018. After that, he is under control for another two season before he becomes a free agent in 2021.

The low-cost acquisitions allow for the Jays to still add elsewhere. The team still needs help in the form of a fifth starter and some Bullpen arms. The Jays could be looking to replace Leone shortly, while Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn could be ideal fits to round out the starters.

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What do you think of the deal? What moves would you like to see the Toronto Blue Jays make next? Let us know in the comments below.