The Yankees made a curious move this offseason when they extended a qualifying offer to Trent Grisham-a decision that now looks even more questionable in the wake of the Dodgers’ latest splash. At first glance, it looked like a calculated risk: offer Grisham $22 million with the assumption he’d decline, netting New York a compensatory draft pick. Instead, Grisham accepted, and the Yankees were left without the pick-or a clear plan.
Now, let’s be clear: Grisham is a solid player, and there’s a chance his 2025 campaign was the start of something more. If he builds on that momentum, the Yankees could benefit.
But the bigger story here isn’t about Grisham’s upside-it’s about the organizational mindset behind the move. While the Yankees were hedging with a mid-tier qualifying offer, the Dodgers were going all-in, chasing another championship with the same aggressive approach that’s defined their recent run.
Look no further than the Dodgers’ signings of Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker-two high-profile free agents who declined qualifying offers. The cost?
Los Angeles will forfeit their second-, third-, fifth-, and sixth-highest picks in the 2026 MLB Draft. That’s not a small sacrifice.
But for the Dodgers, it’s a price worth paying if it means keeping their championship window wide open.
This is a team that’s not just spending money-they’re spending capital. Draft picks, prospects, dollars-they're all tools to build a winner, and the Dodgers are using every one of them.
For L.A., it’s not about hoarding assets. It’s about converting them into wins, postseason runs, and banners.
Meanwhile, the Yankees’ approach has been far more conservative. They haven’t signed any free agents this winter who were tied to a qualifying offer-meaning they haven’t sacrificed any picks of their own.
And the additions they have made? Mostly internal depth pieces, players who round out the roster but don’t move the needle.
That contrast speaks volumes. The Dodgers operate with a clear strategy: use their elite farm system as both a development pipeline and a trade asset pool.
They’ve consistently ranked near the top in minor league talent, yet they’re unafraid to deal prospects or lose draft picks if it means upgrading the big-league roster. They trust their ability to keep the pipeline flowing, thanks to heavy investment in scouting, international signings, and player development.
The Yankees, on the other hand, have been more risk-averse. They’ve held onto prospects longer than they probably should, often watching their value fade before making a move. And while Los Angeles continues to pour resources into international talent and development infrastructure, New York has pulled back, weakening a once-strong global pipeline.
It’s not just about spending more-it’s about spending smarter. The Dodgers are doing both. The Yankees, by contrast, have been playing small ball in an era that rewards boldness.
Now, let’s not pretend every draft pick the Dodgers gave up will turn into a star. The odds of a fifth- or sixth-rounder becoming a major league contributor are slim.
But that’s exactly the point. L.A. understands the real value of those picks relative to what Díaz and Tucker bring to the table.
They’re betting on proven production over theoretical upside-and history suggests that’s a good bet.
For the Yankees, the Trent Grisham saga highlights a larger issue. They tried to thread the needle-retain a decent player or gain a draft pick-but ended up with neither a clear win nor a clear direction. And in the big picture, that kind of indecision is costing them ground in the MLB arms race.
The Dodgers are pushing chips to the center of the table. The Yankees are still waiting for the perfect hand.
It’s a moment that should raise eyebrows in the Bronx. Whether it sparks any real change, though, remains to be seen.