When Trent Grisham accepted a qualifying offer back in November, the $22.025 million from the Yankees felt substantial at the time.
Fast forward a few months, and with the offseason approaching its end, Brian Cashman appears to think he’s landed a solid deal.
“Currently, that $22 million looks like quite a bargain for just one year, especially with how the free agent market has exploded,” Cashman remarked on MLB Network Radio this past Sunday.
In 2025, Grisham earned $5.25 million in his final year under arbitration. But he achieved that while having a breakout season as a center fielder — belting 34 home runs and posting an .811 OPS, ultimately becoming a reliable hitter for the Yankees.
As a result, the Yankees made Grisham a qualifying offer, allowing him to enter the free agent market, where he might have secured a more lucrative multi-year contract.
However, he decided to accept, which gave the Yankees some security as they aimed to re-sign Cody Bellinger, who they eventually locked down with a five-year, $162.5 million contract.
Grisham, alongside Bellinger and Kyle Tucker (who signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers), was among the best outfielders available in free agency.
“It was fantastic for him to step up last year and elevate his game. We feel confident in making him that qualifying offer. [For 2025], it’s real, it’s sustainable, and he remains a crucial player for us, both offensively and defensively,” Cashman stated.
“We’re really glad he opted to stay with us for $22 million. I hope he can replicate his last season since that significantly contributed to our success in making it to the postseason.”
With that said, the Yankees are likely to maintain the same starting outfielders: Bellinger, Grisham, and Aaron Judge, while Jasson Dominguez, whose playing time diminished last season due to Grisham’s performance, is expected to step in as the fourth outfielder.
Grisham’s high salary is a contributing factor to the Yankees’ luxury tax payroll standing at $335.5 million, and his $22.025 million is among the top seven average annual values for position players signed this offseason.
He is only behind Tucker ($60 million), Bo Bichette ($42 million), Alex Bregman ($35 million), Bellinger ($32.5 million), Pete Alonso ($31 million), and Kyle Schwarber ($30 million).
