The Yankees have roster decisions to make on Tuesday, but the most important decision of the day regarding their 2026 season is out of their hands.
Will Trent Grisham accept or decline $22.025 million for one year and seek a longer-term offer? The chosen path will determine much of the rest of the Yankees’ offseason.
If Grisham — a career .213, .697-OPS hitter before his breakout last season — accepts the qualifying offer, the Yankees would be allocated a large chunk of the money for a center fielder, while several other outfielders would be affected.
Would Grisham’s presence make Cody Bellinger a luxury while the Yankees would allow the much more expensive outfielder/first baseman to go elsewhere? Would the Yankees bring both back and imagine Bellinger playing the same utility role he took on last season – blocking spots for Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones, who would be minimized or become trade bait? If Bellinger is retained and the Yankees payroll moves out of Hal Steinbrenner’s comfort zone, would Grisham become a trade partner himself?
If Grisham — who as a 29-year-old would be a rarity on the market, capable of playing center field and coming off a strong 34-home run season — declines the qualifying offer, he would become a free agent and could likely land a multi-year contract even if he is hampered by the draft pick compensation the Yankees would receive. If so, it would further incentivize the Yankees to land Bellinger (who can play center), free up left field for Domínguez and give Jones, who came through the system as a primarily center fielder, a better chance to crack the roster.
Much depends on the decision of Grisham, who has either had a revelatory season or a fluke. There are few center field options available in free agency, which played a role in the Yankees’ decision to extend the qualifying offer and would be a factor if Grisham declines that offer.
“He had a great year for us,” general manager Brian Cashman said last week, “… and we would be happy if he accepted it and came back.”
On what will be a busy day for roster machinations, the Yankees must also decide which prospects to protect from the Rule 5 draft.
Jones, fresh off a 35-home run campaign in the minors, is a lock to add to the 40-man roster, as is righty starter Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Other candidates include star pitcher Chase Hampton – a complicated matter as he is recovering from Tommy John surgery – along with starters Brendan Beck, Bailey Dees, Allen Facundo, Henry Lalane, Zach Messinger and Brock Selvidge, relievers Harrison Cohen and Eric Reyzelman and infielder TJ Rumfield.
If not on the roster, players could be selected by other teams during the December 10 draft. Those players would become fully part of their new organization if they survive on the active Major League roster through the entire 2026 season.
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