The New York Yankees could have a new-look outfield in 2026.
New York issued a qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, while Cody Bellinger is also a free agent. Grisham has yet to make his decision on the qualifying offer, but it appears he will be declining it.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Yankees expect Grisham to turn down the qualifying offer.
“The New York Yankees badly want to re-sign Cody Bellinger, and although they can afford both players, don’t expect center fielder Trent Grisham to accept their $22.05 million qualifying offer,” Nightengale wrote.
Grisham not accepting the qualifying offer would be a bit of a surprise, as many viewed him as the most likely to accept it. But if he turns it down, which Nightengale expects, Grisham will become a free agent, and if he leaves New York, the Yankees will get a draft pick in return.
Grisham is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner. He hit .235 with 34 home runs and 74 RBIs last season with the Yankees.
Yankees Would be Happy if Grisham Accepts QO
New York issued Grisham a qualifying offer, and the Yankees are hoping he accepts it.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to the media at the GM meetings and said they would be happy if Grisham accepted and returned. Cashman knows Grisham is an important player for the Yankees.
“If he turns it down, that means the market is flush with teams that have a need in the outfield, especially center field,” Cashman said. “He had a hell of a year for us, and one of the big reasons why we had the level of success we did. We’d be happy if he accepted and came back.”
Grisham was a key hitter for New York last season, and Cashman would like to see him return.
But if Nightengale’s report is accurate, Grisham won’t be accepting the offer and could sign elsewhere in free agency.
Cashman Would Like to Bring Back Bellinger
Not only does Cashman want Grisham back, but he also wants Bellinger to return.
Cashman praised Bellinger’s season and said he would like the slugger to return to remain in the outfield and be a middle-of-the-order bat.
“He was a terrific addition for us last year,” Cashman said. “He played a big role in the amount of success we wound up having. Certainly, we’d love to have him come back to us. We’d be better served if we can retain him, but if not, then we’ll have to look at alternative ways to fill it and see where that takes us.
“It’s pretty early in the process, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Of course we’d like to have him back.”
If the Yankees bring back Bellinger and Grisham, the payroll could increase, which Cashman said is fine.
“We’re always fluid with our payroll situation,” Cashman said.
Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees. He’s a two-time MLB All-Star and was NL MVP in 2019.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Yankees Get Major Update on Potential Return of Trent Grisham appeared first on Heavy Sports.