Outfielder Randal Grichuk has turned down his end of a $6MM mutual option with the Diamondbacks, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. As Ethan Hullihen noted on X, Grichuk will receive a $1.75MM buyout. It’s unclear if the Diamondbacks exercised their half of the option, although it’s now a moot point.
It’s hardly a surprise that Grichuk is electing free agency after the strong 2024 season he put together. The veteran shone as a right-handed platoon bat, producing his best offensive numbers since his rookie campaign in 2015. Over 279 plate appearances, he hit 20 doubles, two triples, and 12 home runs, good for an .875 OPS and a 139 wRC+. And while he excelled against left-handed pitchers, whom he faced in two-thirds of his plate appearances, it helped that he held his own without the platoon advantage. He put up a .913 OPS and 151 wRC+ against lefties and an .801 OPS and 116 wRC+ against righties. It was the first time since 2018 that he produced above-average numbers against same-handed pitchers.
Grichuk did all that on just a $1.5MM salary in 2024. He was also guaranteed a $500K buyout at the end of the season if either he or the Diamondbacks declined his mutual option. He was able to increase that buyout to $1.75MM by reaching 250 plate appearances in 2024, meaning he will need up earning $3.25MM on this deal. Needless to say, the D-backs got a tremendous bargain, and it will most likely take a good deal more money, and perhaps even multiple years, for a team to secure his services this winter. Grichuk could have his sights on something close to the two-year, $13MM deal Hunter Renfroe signed with the Royals last offseason.
To be clear, Grichuk is still a part-time player in his mid-thirties without a particularly strong track record of success. He’s not going to be one of the top free agent bats on the market. Still, there will always be a robust market for productive role players, and there are good reasons to believe Grichuk can maintain his newfound success. For one thing, he drastically improved his plate discipline in 2024, putting up the lowest strikeout rate and highest walk rate of his career. His 47.6% hard-hit rate was also a career-high. Those numbers should be able to convince plenty of teams that Grichuk can be a valuable contributor in 2025.
I can’t even enjoy this offseason properly because I can’t even get MLBTR notifications anymore on any device. Seriously though, why is that? I thought I was the only one with a problem but I’ve seen multiple reviews.
He had an amazing OPS+ of 140 in 2024 in limited at-bats. But with a career OPS+ of 104 and a record of many injuries, I thought he might take the option.
In a part time platoon role Grichuck might, might be able to beat $6 million on the open market
Only has to beat $4.25MM to win this one. I think $1/5-6 is probably what he goes for.
Yep no shame in collecting the buyout first then getting another 1/6M
It seems like mutual options never get picked up. There always seems to be one side who rejects their end. I’m not really sure the purpose of them.
Spread out the salary paid over time. Good for the luxury tax and cash flow.
More for cash flow as that option buyout was already baked in.
Really does not surprise me, Grichuk wants more playing time, still thinks he an everyday player.
Mr. Crane, this dude is better than Myers.
Guardian.