Yankees’ $22 Million Gamble on Trent Grisham Could Shut the Door on Cody Bellinger Reunion
The Yankees just made a $22 million bet-and it might cost them a shot at one of their biggest offseason targets.
When Trent Grisham accepted the qualifying offer, it wasn’t just a surprise-it was a seismic shift in how the Yankees will approach the rest of their winter. Grisham, who made $5 million last season, was widely expected to test free agency. Instead, he locked in a massive raise to stay in the Bronx, instantly eating into a payroll that was already pushing its upper limits.
And make no mistake: this wasn’t just a depth move. This was a financial statement.
Grisham’s Payday Tightens the Yankees’ Budget
With a projected 2026 payroll hovering around $320 million, the Yankees are walking a tightrope between staying competitive and staying (somewhat) financially disciplined. Before Grisham’s decision, there was room to maneuver-enough space to dream big. Now, with $22 million committed to a fourth outfielder, that flexibility just got a lot tighter.
The front office is reportedly working with about $60 million left to spend, which might sound like a healthy chunk-until you factor in the bullpen needs, bench depth, and the inevitable injury insurance that every contender needs to stash away. Suddenly, that pot of money starts to look a lot smaller. And when you’re already paying one centerfielder a premium, doubling down on another-especially one with a hefty price tag-is a tough sell.
Jack Curry Hints at Trouble in the Bellinger Pursuit
The first real sign that the Yankees might be backing off came during the YES Network’s hot stove kickoff. Longtime insider Jack Curry didn’t come right out and say it, but his tone said plenty. He didn’t sound optimistic about Cody Bellinger returning to the Bronx, and in this business, sometimes what’s not said speaks louder than what is.
Curry’s subtle caution lines up with the new financial reality. If the Yankees were fully committed to bringing Bellinger back, Grisham’s decision wouldn’t have changed much. But the lack of urgency-and the sudden budget squeeze-suggests the front office is wary of entering a bidding war they may not be able to win.
Bellinger’s Stock Keeps Rising
And make no mistake: Bellinger is going to get paid.
Coming off a strong 2025 campaign-.272 average, 29 homers, 98 RBIs, and a .480 slugging percentage-he’s shown he can be a high-impact bat in the heart of a lineup. Add in his elite defensive versatility and left-handed balance, and you’ve got a player tailor-made for Yankee Stadium. He proved last season that he could handle the New York spotlight, and that kind of proven production doesn’t come cheap.
That’s exactly the problem.
Grisham’s $22 million deal now looms large. It’s not just about dollars-it’s about opportunity cost. Every big contract limits what else you can do, and with the Yankees still needing to reinforce their pitching staff and round out their roster, splurging on another outfielder may no longer be feasible.
A Costly Game of Chicken
In hindsight, this feels like a calculated risk that didn’t pay off. The Yankees likely assumed Grisham would decline the qualifying offer, giving them a compensation pick and a little more financial breathing room. Instead, he called their bluff.
Now, rather than using that $22 million toward a long-term piece like Bellinger, they’re effectively renting an insurance policy for one year. Grisham is a solid player, no doubt-strong glove, left-handed bat, good clubhouse presence-but he’s not the kind of game-changer the Yankees were hoping to add this winter.
Unless owner Hal Steinbrenner decides to green-light a significant payroll bump, the Grisham deal might have quietly closed the door on a Bellinger reunion. For a team trying to reload and contend in a loaded AL East, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
The Yankees didn’t just lose a free agent-they may have lost a little bit of their offseason momentum.