In a semi-surprising move, the Yankees have extended the qualifying offer to outfielderTrent Grishamon Thursday, according to multiple reports.
This year’s qualifying offer is set at $22.025 million, and Grisham can accept the terms and return on a one-year contract. However, if Grisham rejects the qualifying offer and signs with a new team, the Yankees receive draft compensation.
Of course, this could be a double-edged sword for the Yankees. With Cody Bellinger opting out and testing free agency, two of their three starting outfielders from this past season are now free agents. The qualifying offer allows the Yankees to recoup draft capital if Grisham signs with another team. However, the qualifying offer could hamper Grisham's prospects for a deal, as new teams may not want to give up a draft pick to sign him.
Grisham could also accept the one-year deal and the Yankees will be paying a hefty price for the 28-year-old. But, perhaps, that's not the worst-case scenario as Grisham had a career season with the Yankees in 2025. His 34 homers are twice as many as his previous career high (2022 with the Padres) and his 74 RBI are 12 more than his previous high in 2021. It wasn't just his homers and RBI. Grisham set career marks in slugging (.464), hits (116), walks (82) and OPS (.811).
Not bad for what many considered a throw-in when the Yankees acquired Juan Soto in a trade with the San Diego Padres before the 2024 season.
All players who receive the qualifying offer this offseason have until Nov. 18 to decide whether or not to accept it.
In addition, the Yankees added RHP Kervin Castro to the 40-man roster. The right-hander last pitched in the majors back in 2022 with the Giants and Cubs. In his career, he's pitched to a 4.91 ERA but is still just 26 years old.
Source link
