Yankees' $22.5 million outfielder in Juan Soto trade faces pressure to 'prove' free agency value
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Yankees' $22.5 million outfielder in Juan Soto trade faces pressure to 'prove' free agency value originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The New York Yankees will have a significant decision to make next offseason.
They've already decided that Jasson Dominguez, who began the season at Triple-A, will not play center field. Slugger Spencer Jones could be the centerfielder of the future in the Bronx.
For now, Trent Grisham patrols that position. He agreed to New York's $22.5 million qualifying offer during the winter, locking him in for at least one more season with the Yankees after coming over from the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto trade.
Grisham doubled his previous career high in home runs last season by connecting for 34 while maintaining a patient approach at the plate. Still, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes this will be the most important season of his career.
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"Grisham bet on himself by accepting the Yankees' qualifying offer rather than testing the market on the heels of a career year," wrote Reuter. "Now he needs to prove the 125 OPS+ and 34 home runs he logged in 2025 are sustainable. He was essentially a glove-only player in the three seasons prior, with a .191 average and 84 OPS+ in 1,288 plate appearances."
If Grisham struggles at the plate, interested clubs may view his 2025 season as an outlier. Otherwise, the 29-year-old could secure himself a sizeable contract if his numbers resemble that level of offensive production.
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