Yankees decide on $22 million qualifying offer for Trent Grisham

Yankees’ Major Offseason Decision: Trent Grisham’s Contract Offer

The Yankees have made a significant move in their offseason strategy by presenting Trent Grisham with a qualifying offer, valued at $22.025 million for the upcoming season. This offer marks Grisham’s first big decision of what could be a pivotal offseason for him.

Grisham is coming off a season where he earned $5 million, but he’s been considered a subpar hitter throughout his six-year MLB career. One wonders: will he accept a deal that far exceeds his previous earnings? Or, given the tight market for center fielders and his standout performance last season, will he pass up this one-year offer in hopes of securing a more lucrative multi-year contract elsewhere?

The deadline for his decision is November 18th, which adds a bit of pressure.

If he opts to accept the offer, Grisham could either strengthen the Yankees’ roster or become a valuable trade asset down the line, particularly with other teams eyeing players like Cody Bellinger, who won’t be receiving a qualifying offer this year.

Should Grisham decline, he’ll gain access to free agency. Notably, teams that lose players who received qualifying offers can obtain draft picks as compensation.

Speaking of missed qualifying offers, Devin Williams opted out after a less-than-stellar season with the Yankees. It’s likely that more shifts will occur in the right-handed bullpen as the offseason moves forward.

There are several free agent options available who can fill the center field position, including Bellinger (although he favors corner or first base), Harrison Bader, Cedric Mullins, Willi Castro, and Lane Thomas.

For clubs needing a center fielder, the trade market might become a viable option, with names like Luis Robert Jr. from the White Sox and Jalen Duran from the Red Sox popping up as potential targets.

Interestingly enough, even if Grisham accepts the qualifying offer, the Yankees could let it go if they need that budget for other offseason acquisitions. If they manage to re-sign Bellinger, the outfield is poised to get crowded.

Aaron Judge is set for right field, while Jason Dominguez is projected to take on left field next season, with hopes of significant defensive improvement in his second year. Moreover, top prospect Spencer Jones is likely to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft.

The question looms: if Bellinger comes back, could the Yankees consider sharing time in center field between Bellinger and Jones, potentially freeing up Grisham for a team that needs him?

By extending Grisham’s qualifying offer, the Yankees clearly see some value at that level. Now, there’s an important decision ahead for both Grisham and the other 29 teams in the league concerning whether he will live up to the promise shown during his 2025 season.

Initially considered a minor addition in the Juan Soto trade, Grisham’s first year in New York was underwhelming. Among 230 eligible hitters from 2022 to 2024, his OPS of .651 ranked him low, at 209th. His defensive skills made him suitable as a backup outfielder.

However, last season marked an improvement for Grisham. With an OPS of .811, driven by his power and on-base ability, he claimed a more solid mental space. He showed potential as a lead-off hitter against righties, despite some defensive hiccups—partly attributed to age and possibly a hamstring issue that affected him in the latter half of the season.