The New York Yankees didn’t hesitate to extend Trent Grisham a qualifying offer, locking in a one-year, $22 million proposal for the 2026 season.

On the surface, it looks like a simple reward for a player who delivered a career year at the plate. But dig a little deeper, and the decision becomes far more complicated for both sides — especially when you factor in how sharply Grisham’s athleticism and defensive value have dipped.

A career year at the plate forced the Yankees’ hand

The Yankees loved the version of Grisham they saw in 2025. He delivered his best offensive season to date, tapping into legitimate power and providing unexpected production in key moments. New York needed extra firepower after losing major bats the previous winter, and Grisham jumped in with more slugging than a

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