The Phillies have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent outfielder Michael Saunders, a source has confirmed to MLB.com. The club has not commented on the report.
Saunders hit .253/.338/.478 with a career-high 24 home runs and 57 RBIs in 140 games for the Blue Jays in 2016. The 30-year-old slashed .298/.372/.551 with 16 home runs and 42 RBIs in the first half of the season, earning his first career All-Star selection.
 
Phillies agree to a one-year deal with Michael Saunders
 
But Saunders slumped after the All-Star break, slashing .178/.282/.357 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs.
Saunders told Sportsnet last week that he preferred to stay with Toronto, to whom he was traded by the Mariners for J.A. Happ following the 2014 season. The Phillies' offense ranked at the bottom of the Majors last season, and Philadelphia has been looking to add a left-handed power bat to its lineup.
MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported Sunday that the Blue Jays are close to re-signing free-agent right fielder Jose Bautista, which may have diminished the chances of a Saunders reunion with Toronto.
Manny Randhawa/ MLB.com
 

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