The Toronto Blue Jays have made a series of moves that instantly made a strong young core even better, agreeing to free agent deals with starting pitchers Kevin Gausman and Yusei Kikuchi while acquiring third baseman Matt Chapman from the Oakland Athletics. Toronto has looked to the trade market once again, as they dealt outfielder Randal Grichuk to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for speedy outfielder Raimel Tapia and minor leaguer Adrian Pinto, as reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Randal Grichuk has been traded from the Blue Jays to the Rockies for Ramiel Tapia, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 24, 2022
Grichuk, 29, clubbed 22 homers while driving in 81 runs in 149 games played for the Blue Jays this past year. The veteran outfielder spent most of his time in center field, a spot that will now be occupied by ex-Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia.
Tapia brings very little power to the table but is a solid contact hitter- a career .280 hitter- and is a threat on the basepaths, as he swiped 20 bags in 133 games played this past season. The 28-year-old can be a solid leadoff man or back end of the lineup hitter for Toronto, whose outfield will also benefit from having the left-handed Tapia.
As for the Rockies, Grichuk adds pop to a lineup that ranked just 21st in the majors in homers. The former Blue Jays outfielder figures to spend most of his time in center field, with Kris Bryant and Charlie Blackmon manning the corners.
The Blue Jays added some much-needed balance to a lineup that already looks like one of the best in the majors.
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