Free Agent Rumbling: Pirates Considering Veteran Outfielder Coming Off Strong Season

Rumors surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates’ search for an outfielder are starting to swirl. After it was reported that the Pirates are interested in Alex Verdugo, there is another free agent of interest.

The Pirates are considering outfielder Randal Grichuk, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.

Grichuk, an 11-year veteran, just wrapped up a strong first season with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a part-time player. The 33-year-old slashed .291/.348/.528, 2o home runs, two triples, 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 106 games.

It was the best statistical season of the Grichuk’s career. The right-handed hitter feasted off of left-handed pitching. Against southpaws, he hit .319 with .914 OPS across 184 plate appearances.

But Grichuk wasn’t strictly a platoon bat. Against righties, he still managed a respectable .801 OPS with half of his home runs despite only a total of 95 plate appearances on the season. In his career, Grichuk owns an .833 OPS against lefties and a .737 OPS against righties.

The Pirates saw plenty of Grichuk when he started his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Grichuk made his MLB debut in 2014 and spent four seasons with the Cardinals before continuing his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels and eventually Arizona last season.

For his big-league career, Grichuk carries a roughly league-average .252/.300/.469 slash with 250 doubles, 28 triples, 208 home runs and 602 RBIs in 1,247 games.

In addition to improving his offense in 2024, Grichuk also performed better defensively. He played 43 games in right field and 14 games in left field and combined for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and three defensive runs saved. He also played 38 games as a designated hitter.

There are other reasons Grichuk represents an appealing target to the Pirates, in addition to his successful 2024 campaign. Grichuk should receive a relatively inexpensive contract entering his age-33 season.

So far this offseason, the Pirates have only signed one free agent to a guaranteed Major League deal. That of course was bringing back Andrew McCutchen on another one-year deal.

Outfield is priority No. 1 at this point of the offseason as the Pirates look to lengthen their lineup and need a third outfielder alongside Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds.

Whether it’s Verdugo, Grichuk or someone else, expect to see the Pittsburgh Pirates add an outfielder this winter.