The New York Yankees find themselves evaluating the future of outfielder Trent Grisham, who joined the team in a trade with the San Diego Padres two years ago as part of the deal for Juan Soto. Grisham, who was initially considered a contractual burden by the Padres, will enter free agency at the end of this season after delivering a surprisingly strong performance.
He has demonstrated a level of play that exceeds expectations, with 12 home runs, a .267 batting average, and a 161 OPS+ so far this year. Beyond his offensive contributions, Grisham has been a reliable defender, having won two Gold Gloves during his career, making him an asset in the outfield for the Yankees.
Grisham Poised for a Lucrative Free Agency Market
If Grisham continues his current form, he is set to attract significant interest in free agency. The Yankees will need to consider whether to invest in retaining him, balancing his value with the team‘s plans for other outfielders like Cody Bellinger, Jasson Dominguez, and Aaron Judge. The future of Bellinger also factors into this equation, influencing roster decisions next year.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic highlights Grisham’s surprising offensive breakout, emphasizing how his improved performance could impact his free agency prospects.
“Is Grisham having a breakout season or is this just a fast start? His defensive ability is well-established as he won two Gold Glove awards with the Padres. But with a career slash line of .217/.317/.396 and a career-high 17 homers in 2022, it’s hard to believe how good he’s been this year. Grisham has slashed .274/.371/.589 with 12 homers and 22 RBIs in 143 plate appearances. Can he do this for the rest of the season? If so, he’ll fare quite well in free agency. It’s hard to believe he has a better batting average and more homers than ex-Yankee Juan Soto at this point in the season,”
Bowden wrote.
Possibility of the Yankees Trading Grisham to Strengthen Their Pitching
There is ongoing discussion around whether the Yankees should trade Grisham before the deadline. Such a move would only make sense if Giancarlo Stanton returns in time to fill the offensive gap, though Stanton’s defensive limitations and history of injuries raise questions about that strategy. Grisham provides a rare combination of left-handed power and superior defensive skill at center field, which the Yankees value highly.
Conversely, Rucker Haringey from Fansided argues that the Yankees might benefit more by trading Grisham to acquire starting pitching, a critical need given the team‘s injury troubles in the rotation. With Gerrit Cole out for the season and Luis Gil expected back only after the All-Star break, adding innings from a reliable starter could strengthen the team’s chances.
“That’s why flipping Grisham for an average starting pitcher capable of soaking up 150+ innings this season could be so valuable for the Yankees. That might not seem like a needle-moving transaction for a team with World Series aspirations, but it could give the pitching staff a much more solid platform to build on,”
Haringey wrote, also noting that Clarke Schmidt is expected to rejoin the rotation soon, but immediate depth remains a concern.
Balancing Outfield Depth and Pitching Needs for Long-Term Success
The Yankees face a complex decision in balancing their outfield roster and pitching staff. Retaining Grisham offers stability and strong defense alongside proven offensive numbers, but the potential to trade him for starting pitching could address pressing needs and help sustain their championship ambitions. The outcome will depend on how the season unfolds, especially regarding player health and performance trajectories.
Ultimately, decisions about Trent Grisham Yankees future and free agency will significantly influence the team’s composition heading into next season and their pursuit of another World Series title.