The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays back in December 2022 in what was likely the best trade in recent franchise history.
This was also the trade that sent catcher Gabriel Moreno to Arizona.
In his sixth season in the MLB, Gurriel exceeded all expectations. He achieved a career-high 24 home runs, maintained a solid .261 batting average, and earned his first All-Star selection.
Gurriel then remained a consistent bat in the D-backs lineup during their improbable postseason run.
Whether it was his seven-game hitting streak, three home runs, or 11 RBI, Gurriel played a pivotal role in Arizona’s success in October.
However, it appears that he won’t be returning for a second season with the team.
On Monday, Gurriel posted a heartfelt farewell message on his Instagram account.
In the comments was Gabriel Moreno saying, “I miss you already.”
Given Gurriel’s exceptional performance in 2023 and the fact that he is a free agent, it is highly likely that he will attract substantial offers from playoff-contending teams this offseason.
This news, while perhaps anticipated, is still a bittersweet moment for Diamondbacks fans, as Gurriel Jr. quickly became a fan favorite despite his relatively short tenure with the team.
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