Former Blue Jays outfielder finds new home with the Yankees on a minor league deal 

This former Blue Jay must have missed playing in the AL East
Sep 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Randal Grichuk (15) bats during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Randal Grichuk (15) bats during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The American League East has suddenly become the popular destination for former Toronto Blue Jays players in recent weeks. Earlier this month, the Boston Red Sox had signed utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year deal, which was quickly followed by the inking of Chris Bassitt to a one-year contract by the Baltimore Orioles.

On Wednesday (Feb. 25), the New York Yankees joined in the fray by adding former Blue Jays outfielder and fan favourite Randal Grichuk on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. Grichuk had spent his 2025 MLB season split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals in which he batted .228 with a .674 OPS, along with 35 runs scored, 18 doubles, nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 113 games played.

Former Blue Jays fan favourite finds new home with the Yankees on a minor league deal 

Grichuk officially rose to prominence after joining the Blue Jays during the 2017-18 offseason in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals that sent pitchers Dominic Leone and Conner Greene the other way. In his four seasons in Toronto, he compiled a .243 average, .751 OPS, along with 232 runs scored, 90 home runs and 257 RBIs in 479 total games with the ballclub. His best ever MLB season from an offensive standpoint came in 2019, where he set career highs in runs scored (75), hits (136), walks (35), home runs (31) and total bases (268).

Since leaving the Blue Jays organization, Grichuk’s production ultimately suffered a significant drop-off as he gradually transitioned from a starting role to more of a platoon/reserve role in recent years. He would make stops with the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels, the Diamondbacks and the Royals organizations during his past four seasons in the league. Nevertheless, Grichuk has still provided some value as a lefties masher, fielding a solid .268 batting average and .819 OPS in 807 total games against southpaws for his career.

By joining the Blue Jays’ arch rivals, the Yankees, the 34-year-old veteran will be looking for the opportunity to make a significant contribution on a perennial contender, with the hopes of having a crack at the World Series as he winds down his MLB career in the coming years.

But with his impressive .286 average, .817 OPS, with 10 runs scored, two home runs and eight RBIs in 42 at-bats against the Blue Jays for his career, Toronto will nonetheless need to take notice of the Yankees’ potential new weapon that they could use against them whenever they meet in 2026.

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