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+.

The Milwaukee Brewers could an outfielder like Randal Grichuk

Lorenzo Cain has been great defensively for the Milwaukee Brewers but offensively, he has not been good. Randal Grichuk could be the inverse of that for them.

With Cain primarily in center, their center fielders have a wRC+ of 60, which is 28th in the sport.

Their DHs also have a wRC+ of 79, which is 24th in baseball so Grichuk could fill either role for them.

In fact, the Rockies might even be interested in Cain to help their outfield defense so perhaps a trade involving the two of them could work.

The Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have not seen great production out of their center fielders at the plate as they have a 74 wRC+, which is 25th in baseball.

Defensively, their center fielders are better than Randal Grichuk but three-time Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier has been league average in center defensively this year and Brett Phillips has been much better in right field defensively than center.

The Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are back in playoff contention after their awful start but they might need some help in the outfield from Randal Grichuk.

In right field, the Red Sox are tied for 23rd with a 80 wRC+ and they are also 23rd in center field with a wRC+ of 76.

Their primary center, Kiké Hernández, is also on the IL currently with a hip flexor strain so they really could use some help in more ways than one.

The Toronto Blue Jays could look for a reunion with Randal Grichuk

The Toronto Blue Jays are already paying for about half of Randal Grichuk’s contract for this year and next year. Considering that they are familiar with him, they could look for a reunion, especially since their current outfield hasn’t been great.

Their wRC+ in right field has been 77, or 26th in baseball and their left fielders are 27th with their 81 wRC+. 2021 All-Star Teoscar Hernández has struggled a bit offensively for them this year in right but he could play left field and Grichuk could move back in to right field.

The Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have not had a good hitting outfield in … well … two decades. They finally are getting some outfield production from rookie outfielder Steven Kwan but in center, right, and at DH, they have still struggled. Randal Grichuk could help them out.

Kwan has played some right field (putting their team numbers higher in right) but their primary right fielder Oscar Mercado has a wRC+ of 75. Center field isn’t much better, as their wRC+ is 81, or 22nd.

Their primary DH Franmil Reyes is their second-best hitter when he’s healthy but he hasn’t been healthy when he has been on the field and, currently, he’s on the IL. Due to his struggles, the wRC+ at DH is 26th at 70.

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