The Yankees found another reserve option on Wednesday night, agreeing to a minor league deal with outfielder Randal Grichuk.
The pact comes with a non-roster invitation to spring training and will pay Grichuk $2.5 million if he makes the Yankees’ roster. The 12-year pro, once a Yankees killer, can earn additional performance bonuses and also has the ability to opt out of the deal at various points thanks to his veteran status.
What the Yankees decide to do with their bench could determine whether Grichuk exercises his opt outs, as the Bombers have several other contenders for seats on the pine. At least two appear reserved for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and utilityman Amed Rosario, but who could fill the other spots?
GOLDSCHMIDT AND ROSARIO
Goldschmidt and Rosario are locks for the bench after re-signing with the Yankees over the offseason. Both are right-handed hitters who can provide balance for a lefty-loaded lineup, as well as mentorship.
Goldschmidt, who had a .981 OPS against lefties last year, can only play first and is transitioning into more of a reserve role with the lefty-swinging Ben Rice expected to play more against southpaws in 2026. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Goldschmidt at first and Rice behind the plate when the Yankees face tough lefties. Goldschmidt can also be a pinch-hit option and late-inning defensive sub.
“I’m definitely fine with whatever role they need me to [do],” Goldschmidt, the 2022 National League MVP, said earlier this spring.
Rosario, who had an .819 OPS vs. left-handers last year, will get some starts at third over portside swinger Ryan McMahon. Rosario can play other positions, including second base and the corner outfield spots. While he is not a strong defender, Boone said that the outfield “has gotta be in play” for Rosario, though that was before Grichuk joined the mix.
Rosario is a former shortstop, but he is not an ideal backup at the position.
GRICHUK
Like Goldschmidt and Rosario, Grichuk is coming to camp because he’s had success against lefties. While the righty hitter only posted a .703 OPS against them last year, that number was .913 in 2024 and .995 in 2023.
Grichuk has played all three outfield positions and could man left field when the Yankees face a southpaw. In such a scenario, Trent Grisham, who had a .652 OPS against southpaws last season, would sit, while Cody Bellinger would slide from left to center.
On paper, Grichuk fills a hole that the Yankees tried to address all offseason. However, he’ll likely need some time to get into spring training games, which could impact whether he’s ready for the start of the season.
J.C. ESCARRA
Boone has talked about Escarra as if he is the Yankees’ backup catcher. However, the manager has left some wiggle room in case the club decides it wants to use Rice in more of a traditional backup catcher role when he’s not playing first base.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Boone said when asked if he views Escarra as the backup backstop. “But we gotta see how it all plays out. I just say it’s a possibility that Ben catches more. Does that mean a couple games? Does it mean a lot? Does it mean he is the backup at some different points? I don’t know.”
Last year, the Yankees simultaneously rostered Escarra, Rice and starting catcher Austin Wells at various points, carrying three lefty catchers at once. That didn’t make for the most optimal roster construction, but the team could find itself in such a position once again. The Yanks are high on Escarra’s receiving and no right-handed hitting catchers are threatening his place on the depth chart.
OSWALDO CABRERA
Boone only needed three letters when asked if Cabrera would be ready for Opening Day earlier this week.
“TBD,” the skipper said, as the Yankees are easing Cabrera along after he suffered a season-ending ankle fracture last May.
Boone and Cabrera have since said that the affable utilityman could make his spring debut toward the end of next week. But Boone also mentioned that Cabrera still needs to find his “last level of burst.”
JASSON DOMINGUEZ
Barring injury, Domínguez already seemed likely to start the season at Triple-A after Brian Cashman conceded that “it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps.” Grichuk’s deal only increases the likelihood of The Martian being optioned.
While Domínguez, 23, is coming off his first full season in the majors, the switch-hitter is still a work in progress from the right side. The same goes for his defense, which is limited to left field.
Should one of the Yankees’ starting outfielders or Giancarlo Stanton land on the injured list, Domínguez could quickly find himself getting consistent at-bats. For now, however, a return to the minors makes the most sense.
OTHER OPTIONS
The Yankees have a few other bench candidates in camp, including Max Schuemann and Paul DeJong. Both can play shortstop.
Schuemann is on the 40-man roster and has minor league options. Considered a strong defensive infielder, he has also played all three outfield positions in a limited capacity. The Yankees have stuck him in right field twice already this spring.
DeJong is a non-roster invitee who can opt out of his minor league contract toward the end of spring training. A right-handed hitter, he has more experience and power than Schuemann, but he doesn’t play the outfield.
