The Yankees are gearing up for a busy winter, and after Trent Grisham just threw a wrench into the plans. The team still needs support, and there are a few names that are still at the top of the list. Let’s dive into the latest news!
Yankees’ Trent Grisham makes $22 million qualifying offer decision
Trent Grisham surprised the Yankees by accepting the one-year, $22 million qualifying offer for 2026 instead of pursuing a multi-year deal in free agency.
After hitting .235/.348/.464 with 34 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2025, many around the league expected him to test a thin center-field market and chase a longer contract. His breakout turned him from a glove-first player into a legitimate power threat, but it also came with questions about how sustainable that surge really is.
Defensively, Grisham’s game took a clear step back last season. He posted -11 defensive runs saved and -2 outs above average in center field, signaling a loss of range and overall effectiveness in the position where he once provided the most value.
That decline has fueled the belief that he’s headed toward a corner outfield role, which makes his $22 million salary more difficult for a team that needs financial flexibility. Instead of reallocating those dollars to pitching, infield help, or another outfielder, the Yankees are locked into a large one-year commitment.
Even so, the Yankees still see value in having Grisham back. Brian Cashman indicated the team would welcome him if he accepted, and they know he can work counts, draw walks, and provide left-handed power in the lineup.
The deal carries no long-term risk, but it does tighten the budget as they continue trying to re-sign Cody Bellinger, add at least one more outfielder, and upgrade the pitching staff. How they navigate the rest of the winter with less room than expected will shape the final look of the 2026 roster.
Yankees preparing for big pursuit of Japanese free agent starter
Tatsuya Imai is set to be posted tomorrow, starting a 45-day window for MLB teams to negotiate a contract with him. Several clubs are expected to be involved, including the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Phillies, with particularly strong interest coming from the East Coast.
The Yankees, who have not signed a player from Nippon Professional Baseball since Masahiro Tanaka before the 2014 season, are viewed as one of the most motivated suitors. Imai, who turns 28 next May, is regarded by some evaluators as the top Japanese free agent in this class and could land a larger deal than Munetaka Murakami or Kazuma Okamoto.
The Dodgers, often assumed to be favorites for high-profile Japanese talent, are not expected to be a major factor this time. From what has been reported, Imai is not especially interested in joining them, which removes a path that previously blocked the Yankees with pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto chose Los Angeles after receiving identical $325 million offers from the Mets, and Shohei Ohtani never seriously considered the Yankees. Imai, represented by Scott Boras, is still expected to prioritize top dollar, but he does not appear intent on using New York or other teams as leverage to land with the Dodgers.
Opinions on Imai vary across the league. Some see him as a solid number two starter, while others project more of a back-end profile. His standout swing-and-miss rates, distinctive slider, age, and track record of durability make him an appealing option, especially when compared with recent arrivals like Kodai Senga and Shota Imanaga.
The Yankees plan to aggressively pursue him and are prepared to make a nine-figure offer. After missing out repeatedly on Japanese stars, they are hoping Imai finally becomes the breakthrough addition they’ve been chasing.
Yankees’ Cody Bellinger pursuit just ran into 2 big-money competitors
Cody Bellinger’s free-agent market has intensified quickly, turning what once looked like a manageable re-signing opportunity for the Yankees into a full-scale sweepstakes.
Coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 4.9 WAR across 152 games, he reestablished himself as a high-impact player. He also cut his strikeout rate to a career-low 13.7 percent while offering defensive value across all three outfield spots and at first base. That combination of production and versatility has made him one of the most sought-after players available.
Multiple contenders are now in the mix. Teams such as the Blue Jays see Bellinger as a strong alternative to Kyle Tucker, and the Dodgers have shown interest in a potential reunion after non-tendering him three years ago.
The Yankees still view him as an ideal fit for their roster and clubhouse, but the expanding list of suitors has injected more uncertainty into where he will land. What began as a strong mutual fit has evolved into a market where price and years could climb beyond early expectations.
The Yankees have also evaluated Tucker, but his projected contract remains enormous, with estimates around $300 million. With roughly $70 million of room before reaching the $300 million luxury tax threshold they want to avoid, Bellinger represents the more affordable and flexible option on paper.
However, as his value rises, even that relative discount is shrinking. Trent Grisham’s decision on his $22 million qualifying offer further complicates the situation; an acceptance tightens payroll, while a rejection opens more space for a serious Bellinger push.
For the Yankees, Bellinger offers a rare level of certainty in free agency: they know how he performs in New York and how he fits their roster. Letting him walk would mean replacing a key source of production, defense, and lineup versatility at a time when the team is trying to maximize its current window. Whether they’re willing to win a bidding war — or watch another contender step in — will determine how central Bellinger remains to their 2026 plans.
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