MLB rumors: 8 playoff contenders that could use outfielder Randal Grichuk

As things stand, the Colorado Rockies likely won’t be in playoff contention when the trade deadline comes in just over seven weeks on August 2. If they are sellers, there are a few players that they could look to trade and one of them is outfielder Randal Grichuk.

Grichuk is signed through next season but for this season, the Toronto Blue Jays are paying equivalent to nearly all of his contract.

They could also look to give some playing time to other outfielders, like Kris Bryant, who is currently on the IL, or minor leaguers Ryan Vilade, Wynton Bernard, Scott Schebler, or even an outfielder that they acquire in a trade.

Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post said in his most recent mailbag that he thinks that Colorado will “attempt” to Grichuk, among others so let’s take a look at eight teams that could be interested in Randal Grichuk.

The Atlanta Braves could be interested in Colorado Rockies outfielder Randal Grichuk

The reigning World Series champion Atlanta Braves had to acquire a lot of outfielders at the trade deadline last year, particularly after they lost Ronald Acuña, Jr. for the season due to a knee injury in early July.

Making those moves helped them win the World Series as two of their acquisitions (Eddie Rosario and Jorgé Soler) won the NLCS and World Series MVP awards.

However, Soler is no longer with the team and Rosario is on the IL. With Acuña primarily being their DH, their outfielder offense has been suboptimal, to put it nicely.

Grichuk plays center field and right field and in center field, the Braves center fielders were tied for 26th in baseball with a wRC+ of 70 at the plate, or 30 percent below league average. Their right fielders were 19th with a 88 wRC+ and that’s even with Acuña’s 154 wRC+.