Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham has accepted his qualifying offer, something that was unexpected.
Grisham, 29, had his best career year on the offensive side of the ball. Grisham posted a .235 batting average with a .348 on-base percentage and a .811 OPS. Grisham also had a career-high 34 home runs on the season. Grisham was an essential cog in the Yankees lineup as their primary leadoff hitter.
Grisham’s defense took a noticeable step back in 2025, marking his first season as a net negative in center field. Long regarded as a plus defender with strong routes, reliable reads, and above-average range, Grisham struggled to replicate that form throughout the year. His jumps weren’t as sharp, his closing speed appeared diminished at times, and a few misplays in key moments highlighted the regression. Statistically, the metrics backed up the eye test: his Outs Above Average dipped into the negatives, and his Defensive Runs Saved followed suit. For a player whose value has often hinged on elite outfield play, the decline raised questions about whether it was a one-year blip or the beginning of a downward trend.
Grisham will now get a chance to show that his 2024 season was not a fluke.