Diamondbacks Sign Randal Grichuk – MLB Trade Rumors

The Diamondbacks signed an outfielder Randall Grichuk to a one-year deal worth $2 million in guaranteed money, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported (X link). Grichuk will earn $1.5 million in base salary in 2024, and there is a $500,000 mutual buyout option for the 2025 season. If the mutual option is exercised by both sides, Grichuk will earn $6 million in 2025. Grichuk is represented by Excel Sports Management.

Grichuk hit .267/.321/.459 with 16 homers over 471 plate appearances for the Rockies and Angels last season, which translates to a perfect 100 wRC+ average for the 32-year-old. This matches the 100 wRC+ that Grichuk posted throughout his 10-year pitching career, with a .249/.296/.465 slash line and 191 home runs over 4,261 plate appearances. Within those overall numbers is a decidedly superior set of numbers against left-handed pitching, as right-handed hitting Grichuk has a .822 career OPS against southpaws compared to a .735 OPS against righties.

Since the start of the 2020 season, Grichuk's splits have widened, as he is putting up All-Star level numbers against lefties and sub-replacement level production against righties. With the door potentially closing on Grichuk's viability as an everyday player, perhaps this makes him a perfect fit for a Diamondbacks team looking for some right-handed balance within a left field-heavy mix.

Reports surfaced last week that Grichuk was one of the players the Snakes were eyeing as a veteran complement to their defensive players. Corbin Carroll And Alec Thomasas well as new signatories Jock Pederson. All three of those players are left-handed batsmen, and only Carroll is a lock for everyday duties, so Grichuk should be able to find plenty of at-bats to fill in for Pederson or Thomas when the lefty is on the mound. Grichuk can play all three outfield positions and is at least passable defensively at center, which increases his value as a part-time player.

After their surprise NL pennant appearance, the Diamondbacks have been aggressive in bolstering their roster this offseason. Eduardo Rodriguez A four-year, $80 million contract was signed. Lourdes Gurriel Jr He was brought back on a three-year, $42 million commitment, and Pederson will earn $12.5 million in guaranteed money on his one-year deal (with a mutual option for 2025). Between these signings, Grishuk, and the trade that brought them Eugenio Suarez From the Mariners, Arizona has upgraded the rotation and added a lot of balance, strength and veteran experience to the mix of position players.

D'Backs are Expected For a payroll of just under $143 million next season, according to roster resources. Although still very modest by league standards, it represents the largest payroll in Arizona franchise history, and significant growth over the club's opening day payroll of $116.1 million as of 2023. Between these expenses and new extensions for both general manager Mike Hazen and manager Torey Lovullo, the Diamondbacks clearly felt that 2023 was just the beginning of a new contending window, and they used their additional revenue from the playoffs to reinvest in the roster.