The New York Yankees are searching for a right-handed outfield bat in free agency and the trade market, multiple league sources tell The Athletic.
The club has been gauging prices of potential additions after re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger — another lefty bat in a projected Opening Day roster that would currently skew heavily left-handed — and veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk is among the many options it’s been considering, sources said. One of the sources, however, said the team wasn’t leaning in any particular direction yet and, as of Saturday morning, wasn’t close to making a move.
It could make sense for the Yankees to add a righty hitter to their outfield rotation, particularly on days the team is set to face a tough lefty pitcher. That would allow the club to rest center fielder Trent Grisham, who last season mashed righties (144 wRC+) but was less effective versus lefties (88 wRC+). Grichuk, 34, has a career 118 wRC+ against lefties, though that number dipped to 88 in 183 plate appearances last year. He also could fill in at all three outfield positions, though he’s primarily been a right fielder and center fielder.
Another league source said the Yankees made a major-league offer earlier this offseason to outfielder Austin Slater. Slater, 33, has a career 119 wRC+ versus lefties. The Yankees acquired Slater from the Chicago White Sox before last season’s trade deadline, but he spent much of the second half on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. A different league source said the Yankees had checked in on righty-hitting outfielder Austin Hays, who agreed to a deal with the White Sox on Saturday morning.
The Yankees’ fourth outfielder currently projects to be Jasson Domínguez. The switch-hitting Domínguez, who turns 23 next week, was much better from the left side of the plate (116 wRC+) than the right (66 wRC+) last season and experienced growing pains defensively in left field. Their top outfield prospect, Spencer Jones, may be knocking on the door of a major-league opportunity, but he is also a lefty hitter.
Remaining righty-hitting outfield free agents include Starling Marte, Tommy Pham and Slater, among others.
The Yankees might also be considering a righty hitter who can play first base to pair with Ben Rice, a lefty hitter. In early December, manager Aaron Boone said he expected Rice to play “a lot” versus lefties following his strong 2025 season (.255 average, 26 home runs, 65 RBIs, .836 OPS). But the Yankees might prefer to occasionally use him at catcher or to rest him against lefties. Last season, they had righty-hitting first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who remains a free agent.
— Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon contributed to this report.