By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
The Philadelphia Phillies remain a game ahead of the Atlanta Braves after their weekend series with San Diego, but the team still has issues hitting consistently, whether it be starting an inning off or hitting with runners in scoring position. After the Phils' doubleheader with the Padres on Sunday, they demoted a struggling Aaron Altherr to Triple-A. As the trade deadline inches closer, the Phillies have a few needs to address and a bench outfield bat is one.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Phillies are talking with the Blue Jays about veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson.
#Phillies talking to #BlueJays about Granderson, sources tell The Athletic. PHI looking for left-handed bat off bench and occasional starter in OF. Demoted fourth outfielder Altherr to AAA last night. Granderson .230/.337/.417 in 274 plate appearances this season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 23, 2018
Granderson, 37, is slashing just .230/.330/.417 in 81 games this season, but he'd likely provide more offensive upside off the bench than Dylan Cozens. Cozens has been hitting well since being send back to Lehigh Valley, but his plate discipline still needs plenty of work before he can be relied on in a pinch on the Phillies roster.
It's worth mentioning that Granderson has a good career line at Citizens Bank Park, hitting .294 in 44 games with 11 doubles, nine homers, 20 RBI and 37 runs scored.
Rosenthal notes that Asdrubal Cabrera, Eduardo Escobar and Derek Dietrich are also guys the Phillies figure to explore.
