“Happy to have him back,” D-backs GM EXCITED for Randal Grichuk’s return on one-year $5 million deal
The Arizona Diamondbacks have re-signed one of their top hitters from the 2024 season, Randal Grichuk on a one-year $5 million deal.
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Randal Grichuk (Image via X)
The Arizona Diamondbacks made a major move on Tuesday. The team have agreed on terms to re-sign outfielder and power slugger Randal Grichuk on a one-year $5 million deal. Their General Manager has been left excited with this move.
The 33-year-old left the D-backs following the end of the 2024 season. Over the course of the offseason, the team kept on trying to work on a deal to bring him back to Arizona. They have finally found one.
As per reports from MLB.com, the Diamondbacks and Grichuk have shaked hands on a one-year, $5 million deal. This does include a club option for the 2026 season.
The timing of this deal is crucial. It comes just a week before the Spring Training officially begins, giving Grichuk enough time to join the squad and get some practice before the season starts in late March.
Following the deal, team GM Mike Hazen spoke with the media. He told that the team was “happy” to have him back. He would hail Grichuk as a “major piece” of their offense last season.
We are happy to have him back. He was a major piece to what we did last year offensively. I know we’ve lost a little bit of firepower in the home run department. He certainly adds that back for us… he played really well for us down the stretch in all phases.
Mike Hazen said as per MLB.com
D-backs, OF Randal Grichuk reportedly agree to 1-year deal, per https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39's @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/lKhxr17IrF
— MLB (@MLB) February 4, 2025
In the 2024 season, Grichuk played in 106 games. In this limited appearances due to the presence of Joc Pederson, he hit 12 home runs and had 46 RBIs alongside his name. He batted with a career high batting average of .291 and had a huge reduction in strike-out percentage.
Randal Grichuk likely to be used as platoon hitter again in 2025 season
While Joc Pederson was at the team, he would play in the outfielder. This meant there was limited time in the field for Randal Grichuk. He was used more as a platoon hitter against the lefties and came in the games during pinch-hit situations. He is now expected to continue with this role.
Last season, Grichuk started just 46 games in the outfield. In 16 games he was named as the DH of the team. Speaking to the media, GM Mike Hazen discussed his role and claimed that the team will use him in similar roles again.
Probably similar. I think there’s probably a healthy amount of DHing vs. lefties. He can certainly spell vs. lefties. We’ll probably mix and match that around and certainly we know how much of a weapon he was as a pinch-hitter, so there’s going to be plenty of opportunity for that, too.
Mike Hazen said as per MLB.com
Grichuk had an On Base Percentage of .914 against left handed pitchers in 2024. This is something the D-backs want to capitalize on once again this season.
D-backs, OF/DH Randal Grichuk reportedly in agreement on a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/7KScuyB627
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 4, 2025
In the 2023 season, the Diamondbacks reached the World Series after sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and knocking out the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS. However, they ended up losing the Fall Classic against the Texas Rangers in Game 5.
The 2024 season saw the D-backs narrowly miss out on postseason qualification as they were eliminated from the wild card race on the final day. With the likes of Corbin Burnes and Josh Naylor being added to the team, the D-backs will look to make a similar push in the 2025 season.
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Vinay Dave
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