Trent Grisham’s year in pinstripes didn’t give the Yankees much reason to keep the door open.
After taking New York’s $22 million qualifying offer last offseason, Grisham turned in a rough all-around season, batting .211/.308/.395 with 18 home runs while struggling badly in center field. His glove, once a selling point as a former two-time Gold Glove Award winner, slipped to -8 defensive runs saved and -6 outs above average. With free agency approaching, a reunion looks unlikely.
That has put the Yankees back on the market for help up the middle, and the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports they are watching Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young. The 27-year-old brings a very different profile than Grisham: the defense jumps off the page. Young ranked second in the National League with 13 defensive runs saved as a center fielder.
The catch, as always, is the bat. Young’s offense hasn’t matched his glove, and his career line reflects that. He owns a lifetime .652 OPS over nearly 1,500 career plate appearances.
Still, there’s at least one encouraging wrinkle if the Yankees decide to go that direction. Young hit .282 with three homers and a .776 OPS in 149 at-bats against lefties in 2026, enough to make him a plausible option for some starts against southpaws. FanSided’s Jake Elman suggested that if New York lands Young, a platoon with Jones would make sense because of Young’s track record against left-handed pitching.
For now, the bigger picture is clear: Grisham’s run with the Yankees is probably coming to an end, and Brian Cashman appears set to search for another outfielder this winter. Young is one name firmly on the radar.
In Other News...
Alec Bohm Could Decide How The Phillies Infield Finally Shifts
The Phillies offseason puzzle is not limited to finding right-handed power for the outfield. Alec Bohm looms as one of the more important moving parts, with the club expected to make him a qualifying offer and then wait to see how he responds. For a team trying to keep its lineup competitive while also creating some flexibility, Bohms status could shape more than just the infield picture.
Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia predicted Bohm would accept the one-year, $23.15 million deal, a result that would keep Philadelphia from having to sort out a bigger long-term question right away. It also ties into the organizations timeline with top prospect Aidan Miller, since the Phillies next steps could depend on how quickly they believe he is ready and how much room they want to preserve while they pursue other upgrades. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Suddenly Have A Real Decision To Make At Catcher
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Philadelphia has to weigh a tricky mix of contract, age and production as it maps out next season. The organization can hope Realmuto bounces back and stabilizes the spot, but the recent dip makes it impossible to ignore the need for a real upgrade plan if the Phillies want to avoid another October ending that feels too familiar. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Prospect Will Gasparino Has One Skill Left To Unlock
Will Gasparino already has the kind of frame and foundation that gets a scout's attention, and the Phillies have reason to be intrigued by what he could become. The 6-foot-6 outfielder came out of UCLA with a strong collegiate track record, and in the minors he has shown the sort of plate discipline and defensive ability that keep a prospect moving forward even before the bat fully catches up.
What remains is the last piece of the package, the raw power that has not yet shown up consistently in pro ball. Gasparino did announce himself with a grand slam as his first hit in the Phillies system, a reminder of the damage he can do when everything clicks. If that tool continues to develop while the rest of his game holds steady, he has a path toward the Major Leagues that starts to look a lot more real. [Read more 🡒]