It's not even July and the Texas Rangers are already making trades. After the Rangers parted ways with outfielder Robbie Grossman this past offseason, it seems as though you can't keep them apart any longer. Grossman was traded to the Rangers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa.
Grossman signed a deal with the White Sox earlier this spring, but with just eight wins on the season and a spot in the AL Central cellar, Chicago has had an 'open for business' sign hanging on their door since Opening Day. The South Siders have now made their second trade of the young season after previously parting company with their ace, Dylan Cease.
The White Sox are in the midst of a rebuild, but the Rangers are looking to win back-to-back World Series championships. And what better way to do it than by getting the band back together. It would be a stretch to call Grossman's presence on the Rangers' 2023 crucial, but the veteran outfielder had great success against left-handed pitching last season, and Texas is currently without outfielder Wyatt Langford.
Rangers swing surprise trade with White Sox to bring 2023 World Series champion home
Last season with the Rangers, Grossman hit .238/.340/.394. So far this season with the White Sox, Grossman's numbers were down a touch. The right-handed hitting outfielder was just 15-for-85 (.211) with a .597 OPS in 25 games this season. But over his last seven games, Grossman is hitting .316/.333/.474 with three extra-base hits.
With Langford nursing an injury and currently occupying a spot on the IL, the Rangers have just four healthy outfielders on the active roster. Evan Carter and Adolis Garcia are locks to be in the Rangers lineup nearly every night, but with Grossman now back in Arlington, he can partner with the left-handed hitting Travis Jankowski to act as a formidable platoon.
Hoopii-Tuionetoa had appeared in 10 games for the Rangers' Double-A affiliate this season. The right-hander hadn't allowed an earned run for the Frisco Rough Riders this season with 16 punch outs in 12.1 innings of work.
The Rangers and their fans will be happy to have Grossman back where he belongs — in the Texas clubhouse.