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Toronto Blue Jays Season Preview: Outfield with strong potential

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: A general view of Rogers Centre as a large Canadian flag is unfurled in the outfield on Canada Day during the playing of the Canadian national anthem before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 1: A general view of Rogers Centre as a large Canadian flag is unfurled in the outfield on Canada Day during the playing of the Canadian national anthem before the start of the Toronto Blue Jays MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on July 1, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Curtis Granderson

It might not be his clubhouse to lead, but there is a presence that Granderson brings which made him the right addition in the offseason with his affordable salary and experience.

Talking to Nick Ashbourne of Yahoo Sports, the 37-year-old knows he does not have to be the sole leader on the team. It is also tough to doubt a player who has done his time around the league.

"“There are already leaders on this team first and foremost, because they’ve been here for a long time and had a winning experience here,” Granderson says. “So when I come in, one I have to be receptive to what they’re saying, and hopefully they’re receptive to me. The combination of those two things both puts us in a situation where we can lead.”"

He might have seen a dip in production, but now he is back in the AL East which has been kind to him in the past.

Granted that was five years ago, but he certainly had better offensive seasons with the New York Yankees than he did with the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The real question is where does he slot into the lineup and can he produce like he did with the Mets, or will he repeat the same struggles as he did with the Dodgers.

At the same time, the team is not asking him to be an everyday starter and hopefully, the platoon approach keeps him fresh. If that means being the leadoff hitter or providing speed lower in the lineup, the Toronto Blue Jays should feel comfortable with what he has to offer.

Projections
Year Tm Age PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS TB GDP HBP SH SF IBB Rel
2018 Proj. 37 527 452 72 104 23 3 23 56 6 3 64 120 .230 .330 .447 .777 202 6 5 0 3 3 86%

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/28/2018.

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