WS runner-up member Gurriel will remain in Arizona…agrees to a 3-year, 42 million dollar contract

Gurriel remains in Arizona.

Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a contract with outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

According to MLBcom, Arizona has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with Gurriel. The contract has a $14 million club option for his fourth season and allows him to opt out after two seasons. Gurriel, who became a free agent after spending the 2023 season in Arizona, will remain in Arizona.

Gurriel, a Cuban born in 1993, debuted in the big league with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018. Gurriel, the younger brother of Cuban baseball legend Yulieski Gurriel, played in 468 games over five seasons in Toronto, hitting .285/.329/.468 with 68 home runs, 254 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. Although he had weaknesses on defense, he definitely performed above the league average on offense.

However, Toronto, attempting to strengthen its power ahead of the 2023 season, traded Gurriel. To acquire utility player Dalton Basho, they gave up Gurriel and top prospect catcher Gabriel Moreno to Arizona. Gurriel, who hit .291/.343/.400 with 5 home runs and 52 RBI in 121 games in Toronto in the 2022 season, played a key role in the offense by hitting .261/.309/.463 with 24 home runs and 82 RBI in 145 games in Arizona this year. He took charge and played an active part in the postseason, contributing greatly to Arizona’s runner-up finish in the World Series.

Arizona signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez in the free agent market and had Eugenio Suarez in the trade market. And with Gurriel remaining, the team increased its power. Arizona is expected to open the 2024 season with the highest payroll in team history. 안전놀이터