The defending National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks have found their right-handed hitter in former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Randal Grichuk. He signed a one-year deal worth $2 million with a mutual option. Grichuk started last season with the Colorado Rockies where he hit .308 with eight home runs in before being traded to the Los Angeles Angels at the deadline. He struggled in Anaheim hitting only .216 in 54 games for the Halos.
Ahead of Trout
Grichuk was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2009 on spot ahead of slugger Mike Trout. He struggled with injuries in the minors. In 2013, The Angels traded him to the Cardinals. He made his major league debut in 2014. He bounced around between the Cardinals and their Triple-A affiliate Memphis Red Birds for the rest of the season. Grichuk got regular playing time in 2015. He finished his last two years years at Busch Stadium strong with 46 home runs combined in 2016 and 2017.
North of the Border
After the 2017 season, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Grichuk from the Cards. He was placed on the IL for most of the first half of the season. Despite this, he still led the team with 25 home runs on the season. After the season, he signed a five-year contract extension worth $52 million. Then in 2019, he hit 31 home runs while hitting only .232. and then the Colorado Rockies traded for him. The Angels then reacquired him.
Snakes Alive
The Diamondbacks have been looking for a right handed power hitter after signing left-handed slugger Joc Pederson earlier this offseason. The Diamondbacks are looking at having an increased payroll coming off their 2023 World Series Run. They are keeping pace with the Los Angeles Dodgers whom have spent over $1 billion this offseason after being swept by the Snakes in the National League Division Series. Adding Grichuk puts outfielder Jake McCarthy’s roster spot in jeopardy.
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