Veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk made a decision on his future with the New York Yankees.
Grichuk signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees during spring training and ended up making the Opening Day roster. Yet, after he struggled, New York DFA’d him to make room for Elmer Rodriguez to start.
After being DFA’d, the Yankees announced on Friday that Grichuk has elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to the minors.
“Today, OF Randal Grichuk elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment,” the Yankees announced on social media.
Grichuk will now be free to sign with any MLB club as he looks to find a spot where he can play in the Majors right away. The veteran is a fourth outfielder at this stage of his career who can provide some offense off the bench.
However, if Grichuk doesn’t sign with any other MLB team, he still could sign back with the Yankees on a minor-league deal. Oftentimes, MLB veterans elect free agency and end up re-signing with the team that DFA’d them on a minor-league deal, so that isn’t out of the question.
Grichuk hit .194 with 0 home runs and 2 RBIs in 31 at-bats with the Yankees this season. The veteran split last season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals, hitting .228 with 9 home runs and 27 RBIs. His best seasons were in 2019 and 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he hit 31 home runs and 80 RBIs, and 22 home runs and 81 RBIs, respectively.
Yankees Fans React to Grichuk Electing Free Agency
After the Yankees announced that Grichuk elected free agency, many fans were excited about his decison.
Grichuk wasn’t well-received in the Bronx as he struggled at the plate, while Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones were in Triple-A.
“He’ll be in the Mets lineup by Sunday,” a fan wrote.
“Weak move lmao,” a fan added.
“Good riddance,” a fan wrote.
Many Yankees fans believe Grichuk will sign with the New York Mets and come back to hurt New York when they play.
“Grichuk and DeJong in one day, they’re soooo coming back to mess us up for one game,” a fan wrote.
“Adios YOUUU BUMMMM,” a fan added.
“He’s 100% going to be a Met just in time for the subway series it’s so obvious,” a fan wrote.
“See ya Randal,” a fan added.
Grichuk will now look to sign with another MLB team and prove he can have more of an impact than he did with the Yankees.
New York Getting More Looks on Dominguez
The Yankees outfield is a bit banged up as Giancarlo Stanton is on the IL, while Dominguez is undergoing more tests.
Dominguez was hit on his left elbow and the Yankees have yet to announce if he’ll land on the IL or if he can play through it.
“Hopefully the tests reveal not much and it’s just bruising and we’ll work through it,” Yankees manager Boone said. “But unknown at this point.”
Dominguez, meanwhile, didn’t seem to think too much of it and doesn’t expect it to be serious.
“It got me right on the elbow, and right now, just swelling,” Dominguez said after the game. “As of right now, I don’t feel any concern.”
Dominguez is hitting .111 in 9 at-bats this season with the Yankees.
Randal Grichuk Makes Decision on Yankees Future After Being DFA’d