The Giants have had recent talks with free agent outfielder Randal Grichuk and his representatives at Excel Sports, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The Giants have been looking for ways to upgrade the offense, and the veteran Grichuk would give them a right-handed bat to pair with lefty-swinging outfielders Jung Hoo Lee and Mike Yastrzemski.
Grichuk, 33, was outstanding at the plate for the division-rival Diamondbacks in 2024, batting .291/.348/.528 with a dozen homers, 20 doubles, a pair of triples, a career-best 7.2% walk rate (still below league-average) and a career-low 16.5% strikeout rate. As is typically the case, he was used selectively, with 184 of his 279 plate appearances coming versus left-handed pitching.
Grichuk, as he tends to do, absolutely torched southpaw opponents. He slashed .319/.386/.528 against lefties — good for 51% better than league-average production, by measure of wRC+. He was more strikeout-prone and less likely to walk against righties, but Grichuk maintained his power output even against same-handed opponents; in 94 plate appearances against right-handers, he hit .242/.274/.527.
Also by measure of wRC+, the Giants were one of the ten best teams against lefties in 2024. That’s largely due to the preposterous production of young righty-swinging outfielder Heliot Ramos in such situations (.370/.439/.750). Any player would be hard-pressed to replicate stats that outrageous, however, and San Francisco also lost two of its better hitters against southpaws from last season; Jorge Soler (.277/.387/.500) was traded to the Braves at the deadline, and Michael Conforto (.284/.349/.537) signed with the Dodgers.
Shortstop Willy Adames, who signed a seven-year deal with the Giants earlier this winter, also hits right-handed but has been far more productive against righties than lefties in his career (and in 2024). A signing of Grichuk would help to deepen the lineup against lefties and offset some of the production lost to the departures of Soler/Conforto and some likely regression from Ramos.
As things stand, RosterResource projects the Giants’ payroll just shy of $182MM. That’s not particularly close to the franchise-record $200MM. Their CBT ledger sits at $222MM, leaving them $19MM from the point at which they’d have to pay the luxury tax for what would be a second straight season. Impressive as Grichuk’s 2024 season was, he won’t command anywhere near the type of guarantee that’d push the Giants close to that tax threshold, so he’d be an affordable add that also leaves room for some additional spending, even if the aim is to reset their CBT penalty level.
I would hope the Reds have too.
This seems like the type of cheap low risk move they would/should make. They probably won’t though
couldn’t agree more. perfect fit.
I’ve heard Colby Rasmus is also in touch with the Giants. Tough choice, nothing but great things ahead for San Fran
A 1+1 contract with a potential $12MM? Who says no?
looks like the Bucs will be scraping the bottom of the dumpster for their next outfielder
I thought he’d be a great fit in Pittsburgh. Hits for average, pop, and can effectively play all three OF positions if needed.
Do it. Sign him. Go Giants.
This is an excellent fit with Yastrzemski and Wade both struggling against lefties and the Giants needing insurance for Ramos regression or a Lee underperformance. With that being said, I’m hoping this isn’t the only offensive move the Giants make. Indicates to me the team is not confident in Encarnacion staying on as a short side platoon option.
@Andy I don’t think it necessarily means that. We need right handed platoon options for 1B, RF and DH.
Would be the most Giants signing ever
wrong
Guess they aren’t sold on Matos just yet.
Lat Matos?
Good fit and Grichuck is better when he doesn’t play everyday so as a platoon player he should continue to thrive
Obviously hoping Grichuk can be what Austin Slater never really provided consistently