New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham was one of thirteen MLB players this week to receive the $22.025 million qualifying offer. This means that Grisham can accept the offer and be paid that amount in 2026 with no future guarantees, or he can decline the offer and enter free agency.
It’s uncommon for players to accept the qualifying offer, as they far more often than not prefer to test the market and seek a richer deal, and for multiple years. Only six players have accepted the qualifying offer over the past five offseasons.
According to MLB Network’s analyst Sean Casey, however, Grisham is the most likely player of the thirteen this offseason to accept the QO. Casey talked about this on Thursday with Matt Vasgersian.
“Do you see a qualifying offer being accepted here anywhere?” Vasgersian asked Casey.
“The only one I could think of would be Trent Grisham because he made $5 million last year,” Casey replied. “(So he’d be) quadrupling his salary to come back with the Yankees.”
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“Yeah, I think there are multi-year aspirations for this whole group, and I put Grisham in that category, too,” Vasgersian replied.
“Think about it this way — if Trent Grisham takes the qualifying offer, he’s got a chance to build on what was his best year in the big leagues, in the same circumstance, same lineup, same ballpark. But then what? Maybe he has an opportunity to sign for two (years) for $35 (million). Would you take one for 22, or would you take two for 35?”
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“I take the two for 35,” Casey said. “You know, and obviously a guy like Grisham’s gotta go do it again. He’s in a good spot right here where he could get out there and get the two for 35.”
Grisham had a career year in 2025. He hit .235 (.811 OPS) with 116 hits, 34 homers, 74 RBIs and 87 runs scored in 143 games for the Yankees.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Grisham, as the Yankees have another free agent outfielder entering the market in Cody Bellinger. If Grisham accepts his QO, you’d have to think the Yankees would feel less pressure to re-sign Bellinger.
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