It’s unfortunate that the New York Yankees‘ outfield is in the position that it’s in. On paper, the Yankees have one of the best outfields in Major League Baseball, and surprisingly for some fans, Trent Grisham has been a big reason why.
However, with Jasson Dominguez, Aaron Judge already in the mix, and Spencer Jones expected to make his debut sometime next year, it’s possible that a few things could impact Grisham.
The New York Post’s Greg Joyce had a great article about the future of Grisham, who is set to hit the free agency market. Searching for what the Yankees might do on the open market with Grisham, he noted that Dominguez will likely play every day next year, and with Jones possibly coming into the mix, it’s tough to see a scenario where Grisham will be in New York.
“The end of the year will also bring questions about Grisham’s future and that of the Yankees’ outfield. Aaron Judge will presumably — barring his elbow injury turning into something that needs surgery — be back in right field next season. Jasson Domínguez has lost his grip on everyday playing time this month, but he is still likely to be back in left field next year…
“All of which is to say the Yankees’ outfield feels both settled and unsettled heading into next year. Even if the Yankees believe this version of Grisham is sustainable for the next few years, he still seems like a long shot to return given the money he has made himself this season,” he wrote.
Would Trent Grisham Be Too Expensive for the Yankees?
It’ll likely come down to how much the New York Yankees will have to pay him. If they offer him a qualifying offer, there are some benefits to it draft-wise, but the Yankees will also have to pay him an expected salary of more than $20 million next year. According to Joyce, that might be a bit more than the Yankees are hoping to pay.
“Has Grisham at least played his way into a qualifying offer? That number is going to be north of $20 million, which may be a bit rich for a player who is making $5 million in his final year of arbitration this season. (Bellinger would be more of a logical candidate to receive the QO, except he has already gotten one after the 2023 season, meaning he is ineligible to receive another.)”
Trent Grisham Is Having an Impressive 2025 season
As a throw-in in the Juan Soto trade, the New York Yankees have gotten a ton from Grisham offensively. This year, he’s hitting .248 with 27 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 63 walks in 403 at-bats as of Aug. 29.
Aaron Boone spoke with the Post and stated that he always believed in Grisham. He said that he’s a very talented player and has been for a long time. With how Grisham’s swinging the bat right now, that’s tough to deny.
“This is a former first-round pick, talented guy — everyone’s trajectory is not like this,” manager Aaron Boone said, raising his hand steadily at a 45-degree angle. “It’s a hard game. Hitting in the big leagues is hard. You see countless examples of guys finding themselves, really figuring it out a little bit, especially offensively, as their career unfolds. He’s had success, he’s hit for some power. But obviously this is the best offensive season by a lot that he’s had. I think it’s a testament to talent meeting experience and having a plan and that trajectory not always being just, ‘Oh, you get here and here you go.’”
Yankees Could Lose Trent Grisham for Spencer Jones, Jasson Dominguez Reason