SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers’ left-field competition added a new face on Friday, when the club announced it had signed veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman to a one-year deal worth $2 million.
According to a source, the deal also includes $3 million in incentives, giving Grossman the opportunity to earn up to $5 million.
To make room for Grossman on the 40-man roster, left-hander Brett Martin was placed on the 60-day injured list.
Grossman is a switch-hitting corner outfielder who split the 2022 season between the Tigers and Braves.
In 2021, Grossman set career highs in games played (156), runs scored (88), hits (133), home runs (23), RBIs (67), walks (98) and stolen bases (20) with Detroit.
In 129 games in 2022, Grossman hit .209 with a .621 OPS, but his splits are what make him a particularly attractive option for the Rangers.
Manager Bruce Bochy mentioned the potential for a platoon in left field, even considering the personnel prior to Grossman’s signing. In 2022, Grossman slashed .320/.436/.443 against left-handed pitching and .163/.253/.256 against righties, setting him up to be an ideal solution within a platoon.
Brad Miller would be the perfect platoon partner with Grossman, with opposite splits. He has a career OPS of .765 against right-handed pitchers and .607 against lefties. Miller struggled with a right hip injury throughout his first year with the Rangers in 2022, batting just .212 in 81 games.
Other left-field options include Travis Jankowski, Joe McCarthy and Jackson Frazier — each of whom is on a Minor League deal in big league camp — along with Bubba Thompson and a trio of former infielders in Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran and Mark Mathias.