New York Yankees looking to add free agent right-handed bat, two of which are former Toronto Blue Jays

The New York Yankees were active last month, bringing back Cody Bellinger and acquiring left-hander Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins.

With those moves complete, New York has shifted its focus to adding right-handed offense to a lineup that currently leans heavily to the left side.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have expressed interest in several right-handed hitters on the free-agent market.

Among the names on their radar are former Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Ty France and outfielder Randal Grichuk, along with Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Slater.

France, 31, struggled at the plate last season, slashing .257/.320/.360 with seven home runs across 490 plate appearances split between the Minnesota Twins and Blue Jays.

Despite the dip in production, he earned his first career Gold Glove, winning the American League award at first base.

After posting a strong .285/.355/.443 line and a 129 wRC+ over the 2020–22 seasons, France’s offensive output has trended downward.

He recorded a 106 wRC+ in 2023 and followed that with a 93 mark across the past two seasons.

While he continues to make contact at an above-average rate, his hard-hit numbers remain mediocre and he has never been a high-walk hitter.

Defensively, France’s value rebounded dramatically. After poor showings in public metrics earlier in his career, he posted +10 Outs Above Average and +9 Defensive Runs Saved over 976 2/3 innings at first base in 2025, cementing his Gold Glove season.

France bats right-handed and does not show a meaningful platoon split, having produced nearly identical numbers against both right- and left-handed pitching throughout his career.

That skill set could appeal to a Yankees roster projected to feature several left-handed hitters, including Bellinger and Trent Grisham in the outfield.

Switch-hitter Jasson Dominguez has also shown struggles against left-handed pitching.

Grichuk, meanwhile, fits the Yankees’ needs as a right-handed-hitting outfielder who has thrived in a platoon role.

Last season, he logged 279 plate appearances and produced a .291/.348/.528 slash line with a 139 wRC+.

His damage against left-handed pitching stood out in particular, as he posted a .319/.386/.528 line and a 152 wRC+ in those matchups.

A longtime strong defender, Grichuk’s defensive metrics have dipped slightly as he has moved into his mid-30s, though he remains close to league average.

At 34, he brings veteran experience and positional flexibility, capable of handling the short side of a corner-outfield platoon while serving as a reliable backup across all three outfield spots in the event of an injury.

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