🚨 NEW YORK YANKEES EYEING RONALD GRICHUK: Could the Former Blue Jays Outfielder Add Depth to Their Roster? 👇
As the New York Yankees continue to refine their roster for the 2026 season, one area of focus remains the left-handed dominance in their lineup. With an excess of left-handed hitters, the Yankees are looking for a right-handed bat to balance things out, particularly for strategic matchups against left-handed pitchers. Enter Randal Grichuk, a veteran outfielder who could be the perfect addition as a fourth outfielder.
Why Randal Grichuk?
Despite having a wealth of left-handed hitters, the Yankees were determined to re-sign Cody Bellinger, who was a standout for the team in 2025. However, as Brian Cashman pointed out, the Yankees still need more balance on the roster. To address this, the team is now actively exploring options for a right-handed hitter to slot in as a reliable option off the bench. Randal Grichuk has emerged as a strong candidate to fill that role.
“He checks a lot of boxes,” Cashman said regarding Bellinger’s return to the team. But, clearly, the Yankees need to address the imbalance of left-handed hitters, and Grichuk could help with that.
Grichuk’s Role with the Yankees

Randal Grichuk would not be a regular starter for the Yankees. Instead, he is being considered as a fourth outfielder, providing the team with a much-needed right-handed bat off the bench. On days when the Yankees face a left-handed pitcher, Grichuk could potentially replace Trent Grisham in the lineup, adding depth and flexibility to the outfield.
Grichuk, who has experience playing across all outfield positions, would bring much-needed versatility to the team. His ability to play center, left, and right field would give manager Aaron Boone plenty of options when setting the lineup and matchups.
What This Means for Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones
One question that arises with the potential addition of Grichuk is what it would mean for the development of young outfielder Jasson Dominguez, who made his mark as the #4 outfielder for the Yankees in 2025. With the addition of Grichuk, Dominguez could find himself further down the pecking order, at least in the short term. However, Grichuk’s role would primarily be in a depth capacity, and Dominguez’s development should not be significantly hindered.
Meanwhile, Spencer Jones, another young outfielder in the Yankees’ system, is likely to remain in the minors for the 2026 season, which provides additional space for players like Grichuk to fill in a more veteran, bench role without blocking Jones’ growth.
A Strategic Move for Depth
The Yankees’ pursuit of Grichuk is part of a broader effort to create more depth on the roster, especially in the outfield. Grichuk has shown the ability to perform in a variety of roles, and his presence would give the Yankees more flexibility in their lineup. In particular, he would serve as an option for Aaron Boone to manage the team’s matchups against left-handed pitching, which has been a weak spot in recent seasons.
This move is a low-risk, high-reward strategy, as Grichuk could be a valuable asset without the pressure of being a full-time starter. Adding him to the mix would make the Yankees’ bench stronger and better equipped to handle different situations throughout the season.
Looking Ahead: Can the Yankees Build on Their Success?
With the 2026 season fast approaching, the New York Yankees are continuing to build a balanced, competitive roster that can contend for a World Series. Adding a veteran outfielder like Randal Grichuk for depth is a smart move that strengthens the team without disrupting the development of their younger prospects.
The Yankees’ front office has made it clear that they are committed to maintaining a championship-caliber team, and moves like this show that they are not overlooking any detail, from roster balance to lineup flexibility. As the trade deadline and free-agent market continue to evolve, it’s likely that the Yankees will keep looking for ways to improve and optimize their roster for another postseason run.
Stay tuned as the Yankees continue to refine their squad and make moves that could put them one step closer to World Series glory in 2026.