MLB

MLB Offseason Round-Up: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Returns to Diamondbacks

Published

4 months ago

December 18, 2023

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing back a key piece from their National League champion team in 2023. As The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported, free agent outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is returning to the desert.

It’s a three-year deal worth $42 million for Gurriel. The contract includes an opt-out after the 2025 season and has a $14 million club option for 2027.

2023 was Gurriel’s first season with Arizona. The Diamondbacks acquired him alongside promising young catcher Gabriel Moreno from the Toronto Blue Jays for Daulton Varsho last winter.

It was a solid first season with the Snakes for the 30-year-old Gurriel. He finished the season with a .261 batting average, a .772 OPS, 35 doubles, 24 home runs and 82 RBIs in a career-high 145 games.

Gurriel’s defense was also impressive and was by far the best of his career. Gurriel registered 14 defensive runs saved in 95 games as a left fielder. Entering the year, he had only four defensive runs saved in left in his career with the Blue Jays.

It’s been an active winter for the reigning National League champions. Earlier in the MLB offseason, the club signed free agent left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year deal. The club also acquired Eugenio Suárez from the Seattle Mariners.