Royals acquire veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk from Diamondbacks

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Jul 26, 2025

Published in Baseball

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals have spent weeks scouring the trade market for an outfield bat to add to their starting lineup.

On Saturday, several days ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline, they found their guy: The Royals acquired Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a young relief pitcher.

Grichuk, 33, was a desired target for the Royals this past offseason. He is hitting .243 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs this year.

He was apparently notified of the trade during the Diamondbacks’ Saturday game against the Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

As for the player the Royals gave up to acquire Grichuk, 25-year-old right-handed relief pitcher Andrew Hoffmann is heading to Arizona.

Royals general manager J.J. Picollo on Friday had reaffirmed his stance that KC would not be a seller leading up to the trade deadline, which arrives at 5 p.m. Central Time on Thursday.

Picollo outlined a plan to improve the Royals’ active roster and help the club make a second-half push toward the postseason. The Royals entered Saturday evening’s second game of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians with a record of 51-53.

Grichuk, who will be playing for his sixth MLB team, offers another right-handed bat for manager Matt Quatraro’s lineup. He has produced five seasons with at least 20 home runs.

Prior to Saturday’s games, Grichuk had recorded a .924 OPS (on-base plus slugging) with four home runs in July.

The Royals have shuffled their outfield throughout the season. Hunter Renfroe, MJ Melendez and Kyle Isbel were the team’s opening day outfielders — Melendez in left, Isbel in center and Renfroe in right.

Renfroe was subsequently designated for assignment and Melendez was demoted to Triple-A Omaha, although Melendez was recalled from the Storm Chasers earlier in the week.

Since opening day, John Rave, Nick Loftin and Mark Canha have also been among the players the Royals have used in a revolving door of outfielders.

The Royals promoted top prospect Jac Caglianone in June, but he has struggled. He is hitting .147 and did not play in Saturday’s nightcap against Cleveland after leaving the first game of the doubleheader with tightness in one of his hamstrings.

Grichuk, a 12-year major league veteran, is now the most senior member of the Royals’ outfield group.

Hoffmann made his MLB debut earlier this season. He recorded a 3.86 ERA in 4 2/3 innings, striking out five in three relief appearances. The Royals originally acquired him from the Atlanta Braves in a package that also included outfielder Drew Waters and infielder CJ Alexander.

It is uncertain whether the trade to acquire Grichuk will complete the Royals’ pre-deadline maneuvers, or if they’ll continue looking to add to their current roster in coming days.