Trent Grisham has been one of the most surprising stories of the New York Yankees’ 2025 season. Once viewed as a throw-in from the Juan Soto trade, he has transformed into a legitimate leadoff presence, flashing both power and patience in a way no one expected. But as Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports, the breakout may not last—and that creates major implications for the Yankees heading into the offseason.
A Career Year With Expiration Dates
In August, Grisham is hitting .253 with an .903 OPS and a career-high 26 home runs—already more than he totaled over the previous two seasons combined. He has worked counts, launched six leadoff homers, and delivered clutch moments. Eighteen of his home runs either tied a game or gave the Yankees the lead. For a team that entered the season without a true leadoff hitter, his production has been invaluable.
The problem, Joyce notes, is sustainability. Grisham will hit free agency this winter, and his timing could not be better for himself — but worse for the Yankees. His surge has boosted his market value so much that keeping him in the Bronx next year looks unlikely. Even if New York tried, it would mean outbidding clubs for what may turn out to be a one-year outlier.
That’s the core issue: this version of Grisham has never appeared before. He flashed potential with the Brewers and Padres, most notably in 2020, but nothing close to this level of consistency. The question is whether this represents a genuine late-career transformation or simply a contract-year hot streak. Joyce leans toward the latter, suggesting the Yankees may already be witnessing Grisham’s peak—one unlikely to repeat.
A Crowded Future Outfield
Beyond the sustainability question, roster math complicates matters. Aaron Judge should return healthy in 2026 and reclaim right field. Cody Bellinger will almost certainly opt out of his deal, joining Grisham on the free-agent market. If the Yankees choose to spend, they may prioritize Bellinger’s versatility and left-handed bat over Grisham.
Jasson Domínguez has lost playing time but still remains central to the long-term plan. Waiting in Triple-A, Spencer Jones continues to rise, and the Yankees refused to move him at the trade deadline. With that level of depth, offering Grisham a big multi-year deal becomes harder to justify, even if he finishes the season strong.
Joyce also raises the qualifying offer dilemma. Grisham earned $5 million this year through arbitration, but a qualifying offer north of $20 million would be a massive leap. For a player with only one standout season, it’s a risk the Yankees may not want to take. Unlike Bellinger, who already received a QO after 2023, Grisham remains eligible, which complicates the decision further. Do the Yankees risk losing him for nothing, or gamble that he accepts an expensive one-year deal?
For now, Grisham continues to play a pivotal role in the playoff chase. But Joyce makes it clear fans shouldn’t get too attached. This is not a player likely to stick around, and it may not even be a player who replicates this type of production again. The Yankees are enjoying his contributions now, but the future suggests it’s fleeting.
In short: appreciate the ride, because it won’t last.
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