Randal Grichuk is heading into free agency off a strong season, and the Blue Jays have a real reason to call their old outfielder.

The 35-year-old split 2026 between the Yankees and White Sox. He finished with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs over 117 games.

Most of that damage came after he landed in Chicago midseason. He was part of a White Sox club that reached the ALDS before Cleveland eliminated it in Game 5.

Toronto fans know him well. He spent four seasons with the Jays from 2018 to 2021 and hit 31 homers in 2019.

The Jays traded him to the Rockies in March 2022 for Raimel Tapia and Adrian Pinto. He's bounced around plenty since then.

So why bring him back now? Because Toronto's outfield depth is shakier than it looks.

Toronto's thin outfield depth opens a door for Randal Grichuk

Anthony Santander missed all of 2026 after labrum surgery. Addison Barger is coming back from elbow surgery, and Davis Schneider faces a non-tender decision.

Ross Atkins has also said he doesn't want to rely on Brett Bateman for all 162 games. That leaves room for a veteran who can spot start in the outfield and DH.

Grichuk can do both. He'd give Toronto a reliable bat that doesn't need everyday at-bats to make an impact.

Sign him to a cheap one-year deal. He isn't the big bat Toronto needs, but he's the kind of depth piece that keeps a season from unravelling when injuries hit, and 2026 proved they will.

He's the reliable backup quarterback. Nobody buys tickets to watch him, but you're thrilled he's there when the starter goes down.

Age is the risk. At 35, he's a part-time option, and the Jays can't count on another year like this one.

He should draw a handful of offers. Toronto would need to move before a possible Dec. 1 lockout freezes the market.

The main event is still a big outfield bat like Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena. If Atkins lands one and adds Grichuk behind him, the 2027 outfield finally has a safety net.