In what was likely the best trade in recent Diamondbacks history, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Lourdes Gurriel jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays back in December of 2022.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This was also the trade that sent Gabriel Moreno over to Arizona.
In his sixth season in the MLB, Gurriel exceeded all expectations. He achieved a career-high of 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 a seven-game hitting streak, three home runs, or 11 RBIs, 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 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 Lourdes Gurriel Jr. quickly became a fan favorite despite his relatively short tenure with the team.
