Report: Diamondbacks Land Randal Grichuk on Team Friendly Deal

Mike Hazen's search for a right-handed hitting outfielder has concluded

Yesterday, Mike Hazen confirmed that he was indeed looking to sign a right-handed hitting outfielder. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Hazen did just that, landing veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk on a very team-friendly contract.  According to Passan, the deal pays Grichuk $1.5 million, with an option for $6M for 2025 or a $500,000 buyout.  However, according to the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro, there are a further possible $3.5 million in bonuses based on plate appearances.  

Grichuk can make another $3.5M in bonuses based on plate appearances. https://t.co/BT33Sv0OM0

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) February 17, 2024

Grichuk was mentioned as a preferred target by SI's own Michael McDermott, who he referred to as the most appealing among the options remaining on the market. 

Grichuk is the most appealing free agent target of the three. He's the youngest, having just turned 32 in August, and has the best track record against left-handed pitching. In 2023, he put up a .328/.388/.607 slash with eight home runs and a 17/12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 134 plate appearances. Even when factoring that he played 64 of his 118 games with the Rockies and the thin air at Coors Field, FanGraphs credits him with a 155 wRC+. That level of offensive production has the opportunity to make a difference in the lineup, even if it's only 300-350 plate appearances.

For the full commentary on Grichuk by McDermott be sure to check out his article from last week. 

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The 32-year-old outfielder last played with Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels in the 2023 season, with an overall batting line of .267/.321/.459, .779 OPS, or a 103 OPS+.  A veteran of 10 seasons, he's also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays.  For his career he has a 191 home runs, and a .249/.296/.465 slash line, for a 101 OPS+.  How much of those plate appearance bonuses he achieves is anybody's guess, as he is much stronger against left-hand pitching. He is known as a solid to average defender in the outfield and should benefit from the tutelage of outfield coach Dave McKay.  

Grichuk's signing likely signals that Jake McCarthy will have difficulty making the opening day roster, and could start the year in Triple-A Reno, barring a position opening up due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances.  Joc Pederson was recently signed to be the primary DH against right-handed pitching. He has expressed a desire to get more playing time against left-hand pitching and in the outfield, but this move seems to close off some of those opportunities for Pederson perhaps. 

This move also brings the Diamondbacks payroll up to at least $145 Million or thereabouts, which is a franchise record, as owner Ken Kendrick has made good on his promise to expand payroll on the heels of the team's World Series appearance.  It continues the trend of Mike Hazen making shrewd, cost-effective moves, bringing in players with low risk to backfill the positions of need while looking for upside from his youthful core of players such as Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Alek Thomas and others on the way.

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