Diamondbacks re-sign All-Star outfielder to multiyear deal

 The Diamondbacks have reportedly reached a deal with outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for a new contract, as per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The agreement, pending a physical examination, spans three years and amounts to $42 million, according to information from ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel. The contract includes an opt-out clause after the second season and a club option for a fourth season, valued at $14 million, as reported by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Gurriel, who joined the team in 2023 through a trade involving catcher Gabriel Moreno for Daulton Varsho with the Blue Jays, played a key role during the season.

In 2023, Gurriel, aged 30, earned his first All-Star appearance, primarily due to an outstanding performance in May, where he recorded a .352/.416/.714 slash line. However, his productivity experienced a decline in the subsequent months, posting a sub-.700 OPS in April, June, and July, resulting in an overall slash line of .246/.294/.445 in 388 plate appearances by August. Despite this, Gurriel rebounded towards the end of the regular season with a .287/.335/.492 slash line in his final 200 plate appearances. He also contributed decently (93 wRC+) during the postseason, especially in the World Series against the Rangers with a .333/.350/.500 slash line.

Despite Gurriel's performance fluctuations in 2023, his overall career has featured a consistently above-average bat, maintaining an above-average wRC+ every year since his debut in 2018. Since becoming an everyday player in the shortened 2020 season, Gurriel has maintained a .279/.326/.456 slash line with a wRC+ of 112. His defensive skills in left field are also noteworthy, earning a +14 Defensive Runs Saves with Arizona last season. While he hit only five home runs in 121 games with the Blue Jays in 2022, Gurriel displayed a resurgence in power with the Diamondbacks, hitting a career-best 24 home runs and 35 doubles. If he can sustain this power while recovering from a career-low .282 BABIP last season, Gurriel could unlock additional offensive potential as he enters his thirties.

In light of the limited offensive options in the free-agent market, it's not surprising that Gurriel secured a substantial guarantee. The $42 million guarantee falls $12 million below the four-year, $54 million contract projected by MLBTR, ranking him 14th on the annual Top 50 MLB free agents list. However, the deal's average annual value surpasses projections. Despite Gurriel's defensive limitations to left field and his lack of truly impactful offensive numbers over a full season as an everyday player, his consistency and potential upside make him a valuable addition for the Arizona club seeking to enhance its outfield mix.

Looking ahead to 2024, Gurriel is poised to be the everyday left fielder for the club, partnering with Alek Thomas and Corbin Carroll in the outfield, while Jake McCarthy and Dominic Fletcher provide depth options. Gurriel, the only right-handed bat in the outfield, could bolster the club's performance against left-handed pitchers, as he slashed an impressive .301/.363/.452 against them last season. The Diamondbacks struggled against left-handed pitching in 2023, ranking eighth-worst with a collective wRC+ of 92. Retaining Gurriel is expected to address this weakness, especially with the addition of third baseman Eugenio Suarez to the roster.

The Diamondbacks have been active in the offseason, securing a four-year deal with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and acquiring Suarez through a trade. The reunion with Gurriel adds to their busy agenda. Although the Gurriel contract is projected to push the 2024 payroll to $140 million, the club seems determined to continue its offseason activities. Passan indicates that the Diamondbacks plan to add a power-hitting designated hitter to their lineup before the offseason concludes. Additionally, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale mentions the club's interest in right-handed veterans J.D. Martinez and Justin Turner, with Jorge Soler also being considered for the role.