Getty
Yankees linked to outfielder after re-signing Bellinger.
The New York Yankees are looking to bolster their lineup.
New York has had a quiet offseason, but that could soon change. The Yankees brought back Cody Bellinger and Trent Grishman to return the same outfield alongside Aaron Judge.
However, the Yankees are still looking to bolster their lineup, and MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported New York is looking to sign outfielder Randal Grichuk.
“They continue to seek a right-handed hitter and Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Slater, Randal Grichuk and Ty France are on their radar,” Heyman wrote. “They’re also considering relievers, especially left-handed ones (Danny Coulombe and Jalen Beeks are among considerations) while checking into starters.”
Grichuk would likely be the Yankees’ fourth outfielder and could play some DH. He’d add some more offense to the lineup. But, he’d also take away playing time from Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones, which would make the signing intriguing.
Grichuk also has experience playing in the AL East, as he played for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2018 until 2021. Last season, he played with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals. He hit .228 with 9 home runs and 27 RBIs. His best season came in 2019 with the Blue Jays, as he hit 31 home runs.
Yankees Have Quiet Offseason
New York lost in the ALDS to the Blue Jays in a non-competitive series.
Yet, despite that, the Yankees are running back a very similar team, as New York brought back Bellinger and Grisham. However, despite not bringing in anyone new, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman doesn’t think it’s the same team.
“We have good players, we have a collection of really good players,” Cashman said. “It’s not the same roster. I’d differ there. We have some players at some point returning from IL, who are important players. We had some additions from the second half that got their feet wet with the Yankees, some with success, some with failures or success.
“Now, they will be in a position to get their feet on the ground and get their sea legs under them. And, with a manager learning how to utilize these guys. … We added weapons at the deadline. All that will serve us well. So, I disagree that it’s the same team; there are going to be some differences. The competition is going to be different, too. Some teams got better, and other teams you could argue maybe got worse. Our division is the best in baseball. Long story short, one series make-or-break isn’t going to define what we think our capabilities are.”
Ultimately, the Yankees still have a very good roster and are betting favorites to win the AL East.
Bellinger Explains Decision to Return to New York
Bellinger was one of the top free agents available, but he ended up re-signing with the Yankees.
The star outfielder signed a five-year, $162.5 million contract to return to the Yankees, and he said he just wanted to be a part of the team.
“I felt right at home last year,” Bellinger said. “The guys do a great job of building a good culture in that locker room. It’s a very good culture. It’s a winning culture. We all show up to win the game that day. I was just excited to be a part of it.”
Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs last season.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
More Heavy on Yankees
Loading more stories