New Yankees Rumors on MLB Free Agency, Trade Targets After Cody Bellinger Contract

Having finalized their deal to bring Cody Bellinger back, the New York Yankees are still searching for hitters to balance out their lefty-heavy lineup going into spring training.

Per The Athletic's Brendan Kuty, the Yankees are "gauging prices" for right-handed hitting outfielders in free agency and the trade market.

Randal Grichuk was specifically cited as a potential target for the club, but Kuty wrote they aren't "leaning in any particular direction yet" nor are they "close to making a move."

After waiting out the market, the Yankees finally got their big deal done on Jan. 21 when Bellinger agreed to a five-year, $162.5 million contract to return coming off a very successful 2025 season together.

The Yankees were otherwise quiet for most of the offseason. Their other notable move was Trent Grisham returning after accepting the one-year qualifying.

Bellinger's return leaves the Yankees with two of their three starting outfielders, along with Grisham, hitting from the left side. Aaron Judge is the only right-handed hitter in the group.

Their projected starting nine features six left-handed hitters. Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, José Caballero and Amed Rosario are the only true righties on the roster. Oswaldo Cabrera and Jasson Domínguez are switch hitters.

Grisham, obviously, is the big question mark among the Yankees three starting outfielders. He had 34 homers in 2025 after hitting 70 in 623 games over the previous six seasons combined.

Even during his breakout season, Grisham had a significant platoon split. He had an .869 OPS in 426 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, compared to a .652 OPS in 155 plate appearance against lefty pitchers.

Austin Hays probably would have been an ideal candidate after posting a .949 OPS against left-handed pitching last season, but MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported on Saturday he agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.

Kuty also cited Austin Slater, who finished last season in the Bronx after being acquired in July from the White Sox, as a player the Yankees extended a major-league offer earlier in the offseason.

It's unclear if the offer to Slater is still on the table. The 33-year-old only played in 14 games for the Yankees after the trade due to a hamstring injury. He has a .787 OPS in his career vs. left-handed pitching.

Grichuk is capable of playing center field, though he is better suited to a corner spot at this stage of his career, and has hit well against lefties in his career with an .819 OPS in 807 games.

The Yankees' roster looks to be mostly set at this point. Any moves they make will likely be on the margins, but general manager Brian Cashman and his staff are at least looking at different ways to find any help they can as they try to keep pace with the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East in 2026.