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Robbie Grossman officially not coming back to Oakland A’s

By David Hill

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics follows through on an RBI single during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners in the second game of a doubleheader at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 9-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics follows through on an RBI single during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners in the second game of a doubleheader at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 9-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Robbie Grossman was not expected to return to the Oakland A’s in free agency. That became official on Tuesday when he signed with the Detroit Tigers.

It was highly unlikely that Robbie Grossman would return to the Oakland A’s this offseason. The A’s have potential options to take over in his stead in the minors, and should those players not appear ready, they were more likely to wait until later in the offseason to address that need.

Grossman’s departure became official on Tuesday. He has signed a two year contract worth $10 million with the Detroit Tigers.

He picked a perfect time to have a career year. Grossman spent the pandemic induced break reworking his swing, adding more loft. The results were evident as he emerged as one of the A’s best hitters in 2020.

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Despite a slump to end the season, Grossman still put together a strong 2020 campaign. He produced a .241/.344/482 batting line in his 192 plate appearances, hitting eight homers and 12 doubles. Thos eight homers were the third most that Grossman had hit over any of his eight years in the majors, showing the difference in his swing.

He now finds himself on a Tigers team in desperate need of production in the outfield. Neither Daz Cameron nor Christian Stewart had strong showings in 2020, leaving the corner outfield spots an area of need. With the Tigers looking to emerge from their rebuild, a piece such as Grossman can make a difference.

This signing now officially leaves the A’s with a hole to fill in the outfield. Barring a singing, Seth Brown will likely get the first chance to take over that starting role. Should he falter, either Luis Barrera or Skye Bolt could get the opportunity to establish themselves in Oakland.

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One thing is certain – Robbie Grossman will not be back in left for the Oakland A’s. He has signed a two year deal to head to Detroit.