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Athletics To Sign Robbie Grossman

By Jeff Todd | February 13, 2019 at 9:58am CDT

The Athletics have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder Robbie Grossman, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (Twitter link). It’s a major-league deal that lands in the $2MM range and also comes with some incentives, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Grossman, a 29-year-old switch-hitter, was non-tendered by the Twins last fall after projecting to earn $4.0MM. He has turned in above-average offensive numbers for the Twins, though hasn’t replicated his breakout 2016 effort in the ensuing two campaigns.

The calling card here is on-base ability. Through over two thousand plate appearances, Grossman carries a .355 OBP. He has boosted that mark up to .371 over the past three years. While he delivers little in the way of power (.122 ISO), Grossman has walked at a 12.8% lifetime clip.

Grossman doesn’t shine as an outfield defender, earning mostly slightly below-average grades from advanced metrics. He doesn’t add value on the bases; in fact, he was panned for his efforts on foot in 2018 (-4.8 BsR).

Clearly, then, the interest here for the A’s is in picking up Grossman’s ability to get aboard. He’ll presumably function mostly as a reserve outfielder, with Khris Davis taking up the DH slot. Grossman has been particularly effective against left-handed pitching in his career.

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67 Comments

  1. Ryan W

    6 years ago

    Guess they’re out of the running for Harper now

    2
    Reply
    • kreevich

      6 years ago

      That comment has come up with every signing of the off season

      7
      Reply
      • Ryan W

        6 years ago

        Please. What else is there to joke about in this wretched offseason. I’ve seen your comment as well.

        1
        Reply
  2. TwinCities

    6 years ago

    A real Billy Bean kind of player. Sneaky value.

    11
    Reply
    • kreevich

      6 years ago

      Agreed

      Reply
    • JJB

      6 years ago

      Are you questioning Grossman’s sexuality? Or do you mean Billy Beane?

      6
      Reply
      • oaklandfan22

        6 years ago

        Touche

        Reply
      • TwinCities

        6 years ago

        Take your best guess.

        2
        Reply
    • Nervehammer

      6 years ago

      I was honestly thinking the same thing. He’s not exciting to watch, but should provide value on paper

      Reply
      • clepto

        6 years ago

        but not on the ballfield???

        1
        Reply
    • Free Clay Zavada

      6 years ago

      you’re talking about the guy who’s produced all of 2.6 WAR in over 3 full seasons of plate appearances?

      Reply
  3. DannyP

    6 years ago

    I would assume that this is bad news for Mark Canha. I don’t see how they could both fit on the major league roster.

    1
    Reply
    • kreevich

      6 years ago

      I see Grossman replacing Matt Joyce.

      2
      Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      Completely agree, Grossman hits lefties better than righties, and with Martini in left this could put Canha is a tough position.

      Reply
    • Lefty Grove’s right hand

      6 years ago

      Yeah, especially with Herrman on the roster because he can sub at first also. Him and Canha are going to compete in spring. Whoever performs better will be on the 25 man roster. Can they still option Canha to AAA? Seems like they’ve optioned him a lot already.

      Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Canha has options, as does Martini and Pinder. A’s can make moves and have better depth than anyone. Piscotty, Semien and Laureano have options too, just in case for whatever reason they aren’t able to perform to a high level, be injury or form, the A’s have coverage for almost everyone.

      It cannot be overstated how much the A’s owners suck for not putting $80M on the table for Keuchel. They have no money tied up in anything. Its time to take the step and invest big again. Eric Chavez was 2006. Keuchel makes them borderline terrifying. Kimbrel does too.

      Reply
      • Lefty Grove’s right hand

        6 years ago

        The off-season is not over yet. Let’s wait and see if Keuchels market goes down and A’s swoop in and sign him to a bargain contract. They’re definitely not going to sign him what he has been asking though.

        Reply
  4. le r.

    6 years ago

    He’ll platoon with Canha in Left, and get some occasional starts in Center

    Reply
    • wjf010

      6 years ago

      In center? Watch some film of him attempting to play right field last year with the Twins. He’s a DH with no power.

      3
      Reply
      • tuna411

        6 years ago

        grossmans has 50 doubles in last 750 at bats. he walks a lot. great addition to the A’s….

        4
        Reply
        • Sky14

          6 years ago

          He walks but has a career .378 slugging percentage which is right around where he’s been the past two seasons.

          Reply
    • tigergreg

      6 years ago

      Grossman hits Lefties. Only had a 688 OPS vs RH (709 career) so wouldnt be a good platoon choice.that way. Had 882 vs LH (784 career).

      3
      Reply
      • arc89

        6 years ago

        Last year he hit lefties. All the seasons before he hit RHP much higher.

        Reply
        • tigergreg

          6 years ago

          He had exactly one season (2017) where he hit RH at a better than mediocre clip. Career 709 OPS OPS+ of 93. Meanwhile his career against LH is 784/114.

          1
          Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      Martini is in left, Laureano in center and Piscotty in right.

      Reply
      • Strike Four

        6 years ago

        All three of those guys also have options too. Maybe Beane is having all MLB-guys at AAA so if anyone in Oakland gets hurt then they’re covered. Depth to the extreme. No way for Grossman, Pinder, Canha and Martini to all split LF, but the latter three all have options left. A’s are definitely protected at all 3 OF spots.

        Just wish Beane would sign Keuchel or Kimbrel. Either one puts the A’s into maybe chasing down Houston territory.

        Reply
    • Wade Herbers

      6 years ago

      Twins fan here. I ‘ve watched Grossman play a few hundred games here. He is god awful in RF and it’s laughable to even mention him in center. He has the range of a water buffalo and the arm made out of angle hair pasta. He WILL get on base , takes lots of pitches–so get ready for about 30 called 3rd strikes this year too! Doubles hitter but no HR power. He was ok as pinch hitter and likeable guy who won’t cause any trouble.

      10
      Reply
      • its_happening

        6 years ago

        I remember watching him in Toronto for a series in-person. Scary bad in the outfield,

        Reply
      • refereemn77

        6 years ago

        Yeah, this. He seems like a nice guy who won’t cause any clubhouse issues or off the field issues, and he is an on base machine. But that’s what he is, an on base machine. I can’t imagine anyone putting him in CF unless you’ve got no one else!

        Actually, kind of surprised he didn’t end up with a minors and invite to spring training deal…

        Reply
      • Lefty Grove’s right hand

        6 years ago

        That’s fine with me as long as he stays as a fourth outfielder platoon player and pinch hitter.

        Reply
  5. Monkey’s Uncle

    6 years ago

    For me Robbie Grossman has been one of those players whose stats you look at and think “Hey, this guy’s a pretty decent player”. Then you watch him play for awhile and you think “Hey, this guy’s not very good at all”.

    11
    Reply
    • joepanikatthedisco

      6 years ago

      Rickie Weeks was that way

      4
      Reply
      • Strike Four

        6 years ago

        Joe Carter is the godfather of that type of player.

        Reply
  6. arc89

    6 years ago

    This means Fowler will probably be in the minors. They did need another left handed bat.

    Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      At some point I want to see Fowler get another opportunity, I’m still holding out hope he can be a quality player.

      2
      Reply
  7. PhilliesFan012

    6 years ago

    They have a ton of outfielders I don’t get this, also how does he keep getting major league deals? What am I missing with him?

    2
    Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      Agree, definitely did not figure they would sign another outfielder, we have tons of depth.

      Reply
  8. sra7kids

    6 years ago

    With the glut of outfielders for the A’s…I wonder if a trade may be in the works.

    Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Grossman, Phegley, Profar and Hermann are the A’s only hitters who are out of options, so in theory anyone else can get sent down. Obviously Chapman and Olson won’t be, but the A’s depth is going to be incredible this year.

      Reply
  9. afannaz

    6 years ago

    I don’t know anything about Grossman yet, but Dustin Fowler isn’t/wasn’t major league ready by any stretch.

    Reply
    • Twinsfan333

      6 years ago

      He is a horrid defender in the outfield with a below average arm. Basically a DH with no power. Works the count well and grinds out ABs. So doesn’t provide a whole lot of value.

      Reply
      • jeb39999

        6 years ago

        Agreed you do not want him in a regular platoon in the outfield, DH only

        Reply
  10. Comrade Tipsy McStagger

    6 years ago

    As a fan of the Twins, I have seen Grossman play a lot, so myself and other Twins fans know what you A’s fans are getting.

    1) A player with a good attitude and no-nonsense kind of approach. He plays the game hard and wants to win.

    2) A player with moderate to low power who does walk a fair amount.

    3) One of the worst fielding outfielders I have ever seen. The metrics describing how bad he is does not come close to how bad he actually is. And he will get worse over time as he ages. His best bet is DH, but there are much cheaper and better options out there.

    4) An offense that is actually, in my opinion, deceptive. When you watch him play, he feels like a .240 /.320/.380 kind of player. Imagine Tom Brunansky having little power and being atrocious in the outfield (this is how I described him in his Twins days).

    8
    Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      Appreciate the insight. Does he just make bad reads on balls or is his arm not up to par? Cause he seems like hes got the speed to perform out there.

      Reply
      • Comrade Tipsy McStagger

        6 years ago

        His routes are terrible. Just atrocious. No range either.

        3
        Reply
        • refereemn77

          6 years ago

          Yeah, he just doesn’t predict where the ball is going very well. Maybe the A’s see something they can improve in his fielding work?? He seems athletic enough…

          Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      6 years ago

      If you want to compare him to an old-school Twin, Gene Larkin might be a better comparison. In his prime Brunansky was an All-Star who hit for power and could play corner OF very well. Gene could hit a little, had not much power, could get on base, and played the field like a duck on roller skates.
      For a more recent comparison, I’ve always felt like Grossman and Alex Presley are very similar, maybe only because I followed both of them coming up in the Pirate organization. Presley fields better, Grossman has more pop and OBP, but overall very similar.

      Reply
  11. CaptainHooks

    6 years ago

    A REAL MONEYBALL PLAYER!
    Robbie Grossman gets on base!
    Go get ‘EM, OB% Robbie!

    Reply
  12. catchinhouston

    6 years ago

    “no-base ability”?

    Hey I have that. Sign me to a MLB contract!

    2
    Reply
    • Jeff Zanghi

      6 years ago

      Haha glad someone else caught that too… at first I read it as is and was like – wow that’s kind of harsh! haha But then immediately thought wait!? If Grossman can only do one thing it’s get on base… then I found I quite humorous.

      Reply
    • Jjbeach

      6 years ago

      Heh. I was just going to comment on this as well. If he’s anything, he is an “on-base” player. Robbie’s a nice guy and good batter–just not a good fielder at any position. I wish him well.

      Reply
  13. waylonmercy

    6 years ago

    Martini is the odd man out.

    Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      Canha

      Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Every A’s OF except Grossman has options left. Canha, Martini, Pinder…they can all go to AAA and wait for injury/form. Depth is everything and Beane might be assembling a AAA team that could be a decent MLB team.

      Reply
  14. julyn82001

    6 years ago

    Thought the A’s biggest need is pitching!!?So Fowler and Barreto have less value now? Confusing outfield choice…

    1
    Reply
    • jeffmcduffie

      6 years ago

      Fowler and Barreto have big upside, but both posted .255-ish obp last year. They’ve both gotta better their approach to make a team coming off of 97 wins.

      1
      Reply
      • oaklandfan22

        6 years ago

        We still have time to get those guys fully developed. Most of these signing are 1-2 year signings so we are not giving up on those guys just yet.

        Reply
  15. rycm131

    6 years ago

    The A’s have the least exciting signings ever.

    1
    Reply
    • oaklandfan22

      6 years ago

      That’s the A’s for ya

      1
      Reply
  16. zacharydmanprin

    6 years ago

    “…no-base ability.” Huh. Sounds like a detriment and not a superlative.

    Reply
  17. solaris602

    6 years ago

    Makes me wonder if CLE even kicked the tires on Grossman. Tribe’s projected starting OF corps is clearly the worst in the majors on paper, and they’ve done nothing to address that problem. Grossman would have been an upgrade over anyone they currently have.

    1
    Reply
    • HBan22

      6 years ago

      It is strange. Reminds me a bit of the Red Sox bullpen situation. Teams that are clear favorites to win their divisions, with all the other pieces, refusing to address their one glaring need.

      Reply
    • Strike Four

      6 years ago

      Grossman is barely an OF. Laureano is going to be playing basically 20 feet from him at all times. Indians need a true speedster or genius-level defender in CF if Grossman is going to work. Laureano might be one of the best defensive CFs in the game, we shall see this year, so having a bad glove in LF can be negated by making the field that he has to cover smaller by having an all-world guy in CF.

      Reply
    • stymeedone

      6 years ago

      no, he wouldnt be an upgrade.

      Reply
  18. afannaz

    6 years ago

    Hopefully, this means that Dustin Fowler is in AAA this year. It would be nice if he could improve his hitting, baseball IQ/awareness, and base stealing, since he is fast. Ricky Henderson, where are you? I want to know, with the great infield the A’s have, why does Billy Beane keep getting these not-great OFers to fill in every year, instead of really trying to improve the quality of the OF? Also, was anyone else surprised that he would go get an OFer, instead of a starting pitcher or a GOOD catcher to lead the young pitching staff the way Lucroy did? Why not Lucroy again, when he was still available? The pitchers know and trust him. The A’s paid him over $5M last year, and the Angeles got him for $4M for next year. Must be too expensive for BB…? And, this “opener” pitching situation BB insists upon using, won’t work to get the team any further in the postseason than they managed last year, IMO. What’s wrong with trying to get back Edwin Jackson, at least. It seemed like he enjoyed playing with the A’s players, as well. I just know what the MLB network’s opinion is on “openers” and the postseason.

    1
    Reply
  19. KF

    6 years ago

    Starting a sentence with “clearly, then…” seems really unprofessional. “Then” has no business being in the sentence as it adds nothing to the point. Plus, the instance I am referring to is a speculation by the writer. “Likely” would have been a better choice.

    Reply
    • stymeedone

      6 years ago

      good luck with your future career as editor.

      Reply

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