*Photo from ESPN*
One big piece for the defending NL champs is back in town. OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a 3 year, $42 million contract, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. The deal has been confirmed.
Gurriel Jr's contract has an opt out after the second season. If he doesn't exercise it and stays in Arizona, the D-Backs have a team option for a 4th season worth $14 million, which is what Gurriel Jr will be making annually with the deal. The D-Backs acquired Gurriel Jr along with Gabriel Moreno from the Toronto Blue Jays last winter in exchange for Daulton Varsho.
Last season was Gurriel Jr's first in the desert following the trade. He authored a .261/.309/.463 slash line with a 108 OPS+, hitting 24 home runs and 35 doubles while driving in 82 runs in 145 games. He also had a .272 average with 3 home runs, 3 doubles, and 11 RBI's in 17 playoff games.
In 2023, Gurriel Jr earned his first career all-star game selection. His slugging percentage went from .400 in 2022 to .463 last year, he set a career high in home runs with 24, and he had his highest defensive runs saved in a season with 14 while playing left field, second highest behind Steven Kwan.
Gurriel Jr has spent 6 seasons in the majors, 5 with the Blue Jays and one with the D-Backs. Since his debut, he has a .279/.324/.466 slash line with a 115 OPS+, hitting 92 home runs and 136 doubles with 336 RBI's in 613 games. He also has a .270/.286/.446 slash line with 3 home runs, 4 doubles, and 11 RBI's in 19 playoff games.
The move to bring back Gurriel Jr marks another significant one in the D-Backs offseason. They filled a void at 3rd base by trading for Eugenio Suarez from the Seattle Mariners and signed Eduardo Rodriguez to give them another top starting pitcher behind Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
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