Should the Blue Jays Trade Randal Grichuck?
Simon B
Out With the Old, In with the New
When the Blue Jays signed Grichuck from the St. Louis Cardinals, the idea what that he would provide some solid offensive numbers during the rebuild, and hopefully keep him here once this team is championship-ready. However, the way things have gone last season and now this offseason, there's reason to think that it's time for Grichuck to go. In 2019, Toronto made it clear they wanted him here to stay when they signed him to a 5-year contract worth about 52 000$ US.
If you take a look at the Jays outfield situation today though, a situation where Grichuck isn't an everyday player is easy to see. Teoscar Hernandez just came off of his breakout season winning an American League Silver Slugger award and lead the team in home runs in the 2020 campaign so it's pretty obvious he will be Toronto's everyday left fielder (to start the season at least). In center, it George Springer hands down. He's the shiny new free agent and there is no question that the Jays won't be playing him almost every day (he will need days off). Now there's right field. This is most likely where Grichuck would play if he remains in Toronto. However, they have other, younger, options. Cavan Biggio is most likely to play there. He's been an infielder most of his time in Toronto but the Jays have converted him into an outfielder last season. With Marcus Semien signed, Bo Bichette at shortstop, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at third, there's just no room for Biggio in the infield anymore. Having him in the outfield is the team's best option to be able to have his offensive ability at the plate each night. With all this in mind, Grichuck is the odd man out. Lourdes Gurriel Jr is a good option as a fourth outfielder or "backup" outfielder. He's young and he gets along really well with the other young players. Not to say that Grichuck doesn't but he has that Latin culture that a lot of the core members of the team have as well. If everything I just said there comes true, there is a good chance that the Jays deal Grichuck elsewhere.
Depth Options
Look, I'm not complaining. Too many good players is a good problem to have. I like what Grichuck brought to the team the past couple of years. Not only on the field but he's definitely helped in the development of some young players on the team over the past 2 and a half years. He's also a better player than Gurriel so he should probably be the fourth outfielder. If they were to trade Grichuck, the return value would have to be some players who are ready to compete now and not some draft picks or some prospects that may or may not pan out. Grichuck brings a good "safety net" in case an everyday outfielder gets hurt.
The Wrap
If it were up to me, I wouldn't trade Grichuck just yet. As I mentioned, he is a better option as a backup than Gurriel. Also, the value that a team may give in return for him in a trade is probably not ideal for what the team needs now. The team's management did mention that they were "done all the heavy lifting" in terms of transactions for this offseason so I don't expect them to trade Grichuck before the season starts but if they need to make a move at the deadline, that's definitely an option.
Thanks for reading! I’d love your comments and questions.
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