James Atama
The Boston Red Sox are heading into the offseason with optimism as they aim to strengthen their roster for a serious postseason push against rivals like the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. So far, Boston has made notable additions, including Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, but there’s speculation that the team will continue to enhance its lineup as the season approaches.
Ryan Finkelstein from Just Baseball has predicted that the Red Sox will make another significant move this winter by signing free agent Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Finkelstein anticipates a one-year contract worth $12 million for Grichuk. Last year, Grichuk signed a one-year deal for just $2 million to serve as Joc Pederson’s platoon partner in Arizona, primarily facing left-handed pitchers. He performed exceptionally well in this role, posting a .319/.386/.528 slash line and a 151 wRC+ in 184 plate appearances against lefties. Notably, Grichuk also demonstrated capability against right-handed pitchers, hitting six of his twelve home runs in those at-bats and maintaining a 116 wRC+ in 95 plate appearances.
In addition to his offensive production, Grichuk proved to be a reliable defender in the corner outfield positions. Given his performance, he stands out as one of the top platoon players in the league and could be a cost-effective signing for the Red Sox. Although Boston would likely consider him primarily for the designated hitter position, his offensive talent makes him a valuable addition on an affordable contract.
