The New York Yankees have made a significant move by securing Cody Bellinger on a five-year deal. This acquisition has been a long-awaited addition for fans who were eager to see the outfielder in pinstripes. However, general manager Brian Cashman isn’t resting on his laurels. The team is still actively seeking a right-handed outfielder to bolster their lineup.

According to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, the Yankees are exploring both free agency and trade options for a right-handed bat. One name that has surfaced is Randal Grichuk. However, sources indicate that the team isn’t close to making a move just yet.

A key challenge the Yankees face is the imbalance in their current outfield. Trent Grisham, who excels against right-handed pitchers with a 144 wRC+ last season, struggles against lefties, posting an 88 wRC+. When a strong lefty takes the mound, the Yankees need a reliable alternative to give Grisham a break.

Bellinger’s return addresses several needs, but it also adds another left-handed hitter to an already left-leaning outfield. Aaron Judge and Grisham are left-handed bats, and Jasson Dominguez, while a switch-hitter, is more effective from the left side. Spencer Jones, who could be a contender for playing time, also swings from the left. This creates a potential imbalance that Cashman aims to correct.

The Yankees have done their due diligence in this area. They made a major-league offer to Austin Slater earlier in the winter, according to Kuty. This was unexpected given how poorly Slater performed after the trade deadline, hitting .120 in limited action and not making the playoff roster. However, his career wRC+ of 119 against lefties kept him in consideration.

New York also showed interest in Austin Hays before he signed with the Chicago White Sox. That opportunity quickly faded.

Right-Handed Options Still Available

Randal Grichuk has consistently performed well against left-handed pitching throughout his career, maintaining a 118 wRC+ against southpaws. In 2024, with the Diamondbacks, he hit .319/.386/.528 against lefties before being traded to Kansas City in 2025.

Despite a challenging 2025 season, where his wRC+ against lefties dropped to 89 in 183 plate appearances, one down year may not overshadow a decade of success. Grichuk can play all three outfield positions, offering manager Aaron Boone flexibility when facing tough lefties.

At 34 years old, Grichuk became a free agent after declining his mutual option with the Royals. While he hit just .228 overall in 2025, he remains available as teams continue to seek platoon bats.

In addition to looking for a right-handed outfielder, the Yankees might also consider adding a right-handed first baseman to complement Ben Rice, who hits from the left side. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned in December that Rice would play “a lot” against lefties, but the team may prefer more flexibility in their lineup construction.

With Spring Training just around the corner, Cashman has secured Bellinger, but the Yankees still need better balance against left-handed pitching. Whether it’s Grichuk or another player, the search for the right fit continues.