Randal Grichuk says Rockies have talent to contend

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For a guy experiencing baseball culture shock, outfielder Randal Grichuk is handling things quite nicely.

Just two days ago, he was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays, a team considered to be a legitimate World Series contender, to the Rockies, a team facing an uphill climb to make the playoffs after three consecutive losing seasons.

“Initially, when I heard (about) the trade, I was super excited,” Grichuk said Saturday when he arrived at the Rockies’ Salt River Fields complex. “They had signed (Kris) Bryant already and that shows that they aren’t throwing the towel in.”

Bryant, who signed a free-agent deal for seven years, $182 million on March 18, will play primarily left field. Grichuk, who was traded for left fielder Raimel Tapia and minor-leaguer Adrian Pinto, will play center and right, plus be used as a designated hitter.

Grichuk started in center in Saturday’s game against Texas and made a quick statement to his new teammates, hitting a two-run, 450-foot homer to left in the fifth inning.

Grichuk signed a five-year, $52 million contract with Toronto prior to the 2019 season. He’ll make $10.33 million this season, but the Blue Jays sent the Rockies cash considerations that will offset much of that salary.

Grichuk, 30, slashed .241/.281/.423 with 22 home runs and a career-high 81 RBIs in 149 games for Toronto last season. He played mostly center field and designated hitter. In eight seasons with the Cardinals and Blue Jays, he hit .245 with 156 home runs.

Grichuk touched on a variety of topics Saturday:

* On the challenge of playing center at Coors Field: “I’ve played there a little bit as a visitor but obviously not for half a season. I was talking with Charlie Blackmon this morning a little bit about it and I’ll talk to the training staff and the strength staff a little bit more about taking care of my body differently to withstand a full season playing out there.

“I know it’s not easy, but there are guys who have done it for a number of years and I will lean on them.”

In 12 career games at Coors Field, Grichuk has hit .192 (9-for-47) with three home runs and six RBIs.

* Did he expect the trade? “Honestly, no. I didn’t really know about the outfield situation (in Colorado). I talked to my agent going into the offseason. The (Blue Jays) were open to trading an outfielder or two, and we knew they wanted to get a left-handed bat. I kind of heard it could be me … so I knew something was possible but I didn’t know the Rockies were looking for an outfielder. It was a little bit of a shock, but definitely an exciting one.”

* On being traded for the third time in his career: “It’s part of the game. Obviously being in the game for a little while now I realize there are things I can’t control and things I can’t worry about.”

Welker update. Corner infield prospect Colton Welker, 24, said Saturday that he’s suffering from a bacterial virus that’s made the vision in his right eye “foggy.”

The condition is being treated with antibiotics and Welker hopes to get back on the field in a few more days. He said he’s had the condition before, including last season, adding that it usually takes about 10 days for the eye to clear up.

“I’m on the back end of it now,” he said.

Transactions. The Rockies optioned right-handed pitcher Noah Davis and infielders Ezequiel Tovar and Elehuris Montero to minor-league camp. Additionally, the club reassigned right-handed pitchers Zach Lee and Nate Griep, both non-roster invitees, to minor-league camp.

Tovar, who plays shortstop, and Montero, who plays third and first, both had outstanding big-league camps.

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