The Arizona Diamondbacks made an improbable run to the World Series last season, and it seems as if they will be getting one of their most important pieces back. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic has reported that free-agent outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is re-signing in Arizona. Later on, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that it is a three-deal deal for $42 million, with a club option for a fourth season.
Gurriel Jr. spent the first five seasons of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, before being dealt to the Diamondbacks following the end of the 2022 season. The early returns of the deal suggests immense value for Arizona, given how much progression Gabriel Moreno showed in his first full big league season. Gurriel Jr. was traded with one-year left on his contract, but now that he has chosen to remain with the team, the Diamondbacks have done some fantastic business over the last two offseasons.
The slugger was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career last year, slashing .261/.309/.463/.772 with 24 home runs, 82 runs batted in, and an 108 OPS+ in 592 plate appearances. Gurriel Jr. slowed down a bit in the second half, but his productivity in the postseason helped Arizona go on a deep postseason run. He had three home runs and 11 runs batted in across 17 playoff games.
He was one of the many outfielders who would have made sense for the Mets. Read more about the Mets’ outfield need here.
