Oakland Rangers Address Left-Handed Pitching Woes with Acquisition of Robbie Grossman
2:51 AM UTC
The Oakland Rangers have been struggling against left-handed pitching, hitting just .231/.288/.343 (.631 OPS) as a team. This weakness was highlighted after reaching a season-high five games over .500 following a win over the A’s on Tuesday.
To address this issue, general manager Chris Young moved quickly to acquire veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman from the Chicago White Sox. In exchange, the Rangers sent Minor League right-handed pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa to the White Sox and designated left-handed pitcher Kolton Ingram for assignment to make room for Grossman on the 40-man roster.
With three right-handed bats on the injured list, including Josh Jung, Justin Foscue, and Wyatt Langford, the need for another bat to face lefties became even more pressing. Rookie outfielder Evan Carter has struggled against left-handed pitchers this season, further emphasizing the need for Grossman’s addition to the lineup.
Young expressed his confidence in Grossman’s ability to make a significant impact on the team, stating, “This isn’t just a stopgap while Wyatt is down. This is a player that we think can contribute all season long. He did last year, he was an important piece of our playoff team, he was hitting third in a playoff game. So he’s a really, really good player, and we’re excited to get him. We think he’s gonna make a huge difference for us, not just on the field but in the clubhouse.”
Grossman, 34, had been with the White Sox this season, batting .211 with a .597 OPS, no home runs, and four RBIs. However, his performance against left-handed pitchers in 2024 has been more promising, with a .375 average and two doubles in 16 at-bats. Last year, Grossman excelled against lefties, posting a .309 average with a .952 OPS, five home runs, and 10 doubles.
During his time with the Rangers last year, Grossman proved to be a valuable asset, batting .238/.340/.394/.734 with 10 home runs, 23 doubles, and 49 RBIs in 115 games. He started in various positions, including left field, designated hitter, and right field, contributing to the team’s success in reaching the 2023 World Series.
Young emphasized that the trade for Grossman was about improving the team’s performance against left-handed pitching and providing stability to the lineup in the absence of key players like Josh Jung. Grossman expressed his excitement about returning to the Rangers, stating, “This uniform will always have a special place in my heart, obviously because of what happened last year. This is a new year right now, and I’m looking forward to it.”
The addition of Grossman brings experience, versatility, and a proven track record of success against left-handed pitching to the Oakland Rangers, addressing a critical need and aiming to elevate the team’s performance moving forward.
