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4 players Pirates could claim off waivers by the end of August

If the Pirates are still in the race at the end of this month, they might be able to find some last minute reinforcements via waivers.

ByNoah Wright|
Jun 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Robbie Grossman (4) follows through on a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Robbie Grossman (4) follows through on a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the third inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports | Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
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Robbie Grossman

Veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman opened the season with the Chicago White Sox but got off to a bad start. He was hitting just .211/.329/.268 with a .279 wOBA and 72 wRC+. Grossman's only extra-base hits consisted of four doubles. The only positive from his tenure with the Sox was his 15.3% walk rate. The White Sox then dealt him to the Texas Rangers, the team he spent his 2023 season with.

Since returning to the second largest state in the Union, Grossman has returned to form. Entering the weekend, his most recent 96 plate appearances had yielded a .256/.354/.402 triple-slash, .335 wOBA, and 115 wRC+ (over the weekend against Boston, he went 1-for-3). Grossman is still walking at a high 13.5% rate, but he's cut his K% down from 23.5% with the Sox to just 17.7% in Texas. He's also hitting for more pop and posted an .144 isolated slugging percentage during that span.

Grossman still demolishes lefties. He's batting .310/.419/.496 with a .396 wOBA and 157 wRC+ when facing southpaws. He ranks 29th in OPS, 23rd in wOBA, and 24th in wRC+ among hitters this season with at least 80 plate appearances vs lefties.

Grossman has spent a lot of time as a designated hitter over the last two seasons. He has -1 defensive run saved and -3 outs above average in the 202.1 innings he has played in the outfield. His arm is about average, sitting in the 48th percentile of arm strength this season.

The Rangers are certainly not out of it. They're much closer than the A's, Angels, and definitely the White Sox. But they're 5.5 out of their division and 9.5 out of a Wild Card spot. If they start to slip, the defending World Series champions could look to shed Grossman's remaining salary.

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