In a foreseeable move, center fielder Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer and will rejoin the Yankees in 2026. He will earn just over $22 million after an impressive season, hitting .235 with a career-high 34 home runs and 87 RBI.
This decision has complicated the team’s outfield lineup for next season.
The Yankees clearly valued Grisham enough to extend the QO, indicating general manager Brian Cashman was willing to retain him or regain a draft pick if he signed elsewhere. Cashman acknowledged a “very thin outfield market” at the GM Meetings earlier this month.
However, this makes the Yankees’ outfield planning more challenging. No disrespect to Grisham, but few expect him to deliver another 30-homer season. Meanwhile, he’s set to earn more than projected as a free agent, while the Yankees face significant outfield decisions in free agency and internally.
Fortunately for the Yankees, right field is securely covered. Three-time MVP Aaron Judge remains a fixture, and Grisham is likely to remain in center field due to his breakout performance and solid defense.
The situation becomes unclear from there. Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove center fielder, just posted his worst defensive season. He concluded 2025 with -11 defensive runs saved (DRS) and a -3 fielding run value (FRV), both career lows at age 28. It’s uncertain if this is an anomaly or if Grisham’s legs are losing range prematurely.
Additionally, the Yankees now have one remaining outfield spot but, arguably, two vacant outfield roster positions. Cashman is essentially choosing between four players for these slots—two free agents and two internal candidates.
Starting with the market, Cody Bellinger is a familiar and favored name among Yankees fans. He fit well batting behind Aaron Judge last season, despite some inconsistencies. Bellinger hit .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBI, and recorded +12 DRS across all three outfield positions. He can also cover first base if needed.
Then there’s Kyle Tucker, the standout star of this offseason’s free agency class. He played with the Chicago Cubs last season, posting a 4.3 WAR over 136 games, despite a down year. Tucker dealt with injuries and hit .231 with only five homers in the second half, ending the year with a .266 average, 22 home runs, and 73 RBI, plus 25 stolen bases.
Yankees fans remember Tucker as a five-tool player with the Houston Astros, winning a World Series in 2022. Like Bellinger, his lefty swing suits Yankee Stadium well. However, as he nears his 29th year, Tucker could command over $300 million, likely for eight or nine years.
Bellinger, on the other hand, is expected to sign for about $180 million.
Internally, the situation intensifies. Switch-hitting prospect Jasson Dominguez continues to struggle batting right-handed. He will be 23 at spring training and needs regular playtime to develop, but Grisham’s emergence has pushed him from the lineup, potentially off the roster.
What about Spencer Jones? He had a standout season, hitting .274 with 35 home runs and 80 RBI across Double-A and Triple-A, but also had a high strikeout rate of 35.6%. While he has significant potential, there are many questions about his hitting ability.
Although Grisham accepting the QO doesn’t spell the end for Dominguez or Jones, injuries can occur, and a poor spring could see Grisham relegated to an expensive bench role. This isn’t the worst outcome, particularly since Grisham’s contract is a tradable one-year deal.
Regardless, even if Cashman wanted him back, this adds another challenge. He needs to resolve the outfield puzzle, strengthen the starting rotation, and enhance the bullpen. He has considerable work ahead at the Winter Meetings in Orlando next month.
Throughout, he’s likely hoping, wishing, and even resorting to Disney-level wishes that Grisham’s 2025 breakout wasn’t just a fleeting success.
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- Source: SCCGManagement.com