New York Yankees Sign Randal Grichuk to Minor League Deal

This article breaks down why the Yankees picked up veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk on a minor-league deal with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. What does this mean for New York’s 2024 roster? Let’s dig in.

It’s clear the Yankees want a right-handed platoon bat, but they don’t want to promise anyone a spot just yet. Grichuk, who’s 34, will fight for a bench role and could take at-bats from Trent Grisham against lefties.

If that happens, Cody Bellinger would slide to center, Grichuk would handle a corner, and Aaron Judge would anchor the other outfield spot. The idea is to balance power and contact, but really, it’s about getting more from those lefty matchups.

Grichuk’s reputation as a lefty-killer has followed him throughout his career. Last season’s numbers—.228/.273/.401 over 293 plate appearances—weren’t great. But if you look at his 2022–24 stretch, he hit .317/.367/.573 with 25 homers and posted one of the top OPS marks against southpaws (minimum 450 plate appearances).

Of course, his strikeout rate against lefties did jump last year. So there’s some doubt about whether he can get back to his best.

Grichuk’s performance against left-handed pitching

From 2022 to 2024, Grichuk stood out as one of the best opposite-lefty hitters—a profile the Yankees definitely want in a tight roster. The question for this season: Can he keep that up with the recent rise in strikeouts?

If he finds that old groove, he could give the Yankees a reliable right-handed bat off the bench.

Contract details and the opt-out timeline

The contract’s a classic MLB move: minor-league deal, Spring Training invite, and a possible $2.5 million base salary if he makes the Opening Day roster. That gives the Yankees flexibility and gives Grichuk a real shot to earn his way up.

As an Article XX(b) free agent who finished last year on a big league roster, Grichuk gets three opt-out chances: five days before Opening Day, May 1, and June 1.

These opt-outs let Grichuk look elsewhere if he’s stuck in the minors. They also give the Yankees room to tweak the bench as the season unfolds.

Implications of opt-outs and Opening Day considerations

If Grichuk doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the Yankees might need to keep him around just to avoid losing him. That could slow down the development of younger players.

His presence on the bench could push a prospect like Jasson Domínguez to Triple-A, just to make space for a more balanced right-handed bench.

If Grichuk does break camp with the team, things get more conventional. He’d slot into a right-handed platoon role, lighten the load for Grisham and Bellinger, and offer a pinch-hitting or defensive option in the corners.

Impact on prospects and bench composition

The front office has to consider how Grichuk’s arrival affects the team’s long-term plans, especially for Domínguez. A non-roster veteran with platoon chops adds depth, but doesn’t guarantee a spot, so Domínguez could end up in Triple-A if Grichuk grabs a major league job.

Key things to watch:

• Right-handed bench balance—can Grichuk complement Grisham and Bellinger against lefties and righties?
• Spring competition—who actually grabs those final bench spots?
• Domínguez’s timeline—does Grichuk’s presence delay his big league return if roster space gets tight?

What to watch this spring

As Spring Training unfolds, keep an eye on a few things:

• How Grichuk handles left-handed pitching in live at-bats and simulations.
• Whether the outfield defense clicks with Bellinger in center and Grichuk holding down a corner.
• How opt-out dates might shake up roster decisions and where Domínguez lands in the organization.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Yankees, Randal Grichuk Agree To Minor League Deal