The D-backs get their right-handed slugger back
The D-backs announced this afternoon that they had signed outfielder Randal Grichuk to a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2026. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the deal consists of a $2 million payment for 2025, with a $3 million buyout on a $5 million option for 2026. He can also earn some extra money through incentives: “$250K for getting to 200 plate appearances and another $250K for getting to 275. There’s also a one-time $250K assignment bonus if Grichuk is traded.” Mutual options very rarely get exercised, so this structure is basically a way to defer payment, and reduces the impact on the team’s payroll this year, which is already at a franchise record level.
Grichuk therefore returns to Arizona after a very successful 2024 campaign, in which he was the weak-side platoon partner to Joc Peterson. He played in 106 games, but only saw 279 plate appearances. However, Randal had a 140 OPS+ in that role, with a triple-slash line of .291/.348/.528 for an .875 OPS. It certainly helped that he had the platoon advantage in almost two-thirds of those PA, with a .914 OPS against left-handed pitchers. He will likely occupy the same position again in 2025. This year, the role of Pederson is being taken by Josh Naylor, though Naylor is going to see more playing time in the field then Pederson, who has not seen an out on defense since 2021!
Grichuk made 46 starts for the Diamondbacks last year at the two corner outfield positions, mostly in right field, but with eleven in left. This will make the team less left-handed in the outfield, where Lourdes Gurriel Jr was previously the only “pure” right-handed hitter on the 40-man roster. It does now definitely suggest there won’t be room for both Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas on the Opening Day roster, with Grichuk and probably Pavin Smith as the backup outfielders. Whether that means one or other of them will be traded, or just stashed away in Reno, remains to be seen. The D-backs may still look to deal from starting pitching depth to free up salary and/or for an additional bullpen arm.