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By Shaun McAvoy
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New York Yankees will be receiving a major contract update this week.
Outfielder Trent Grisham has to decide on the qualifying offer that the Yankees extended to him by Tuesday. The 29-year-old slugger had a resurgent season this year, setting career highs with 34 home runs and 74 runs batted in. After having the best season of his career, Grisham is ready to cash in, but has a decision to make.
The qualifying offer from New York would be a one-year, $22 million contract. Grisham can either take that or try to negotiate a contract in free agency to get a long-term contract after his red-hot season. Either way, the New York Post's Mark Sanchez emphasized how Grisham's contract decision could dramatically impact the Yankees' offseason plans.
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"The Yankees have roster decisions to make Tuesday, but the day’s most significant decision regarding their 2026 season is out of their hands," Sanchez wrote Monday. "Will Trent Grisham accept $22.025 million for one year or decline and seek a longer-term offer? The path chosen will help dictate much of the rest of the Yankees offseason.
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"If Grisham — a career .213, .697-OPS hitter before his breakout last season — accepts the qualifying offer, the Yankees would have a large chunk of money allocated to a center fielder with several other outfielders affected. If Grisham — who would be a rarity on the market as a 29-year-old capable of playing center field and coming off a strong, 34-homer season — rejects the qualifying offer, he would become a free agent and likely be able to land a multiyear contract, even while hampered by the draft-pick compensation that the Yankees would net."
There are a few center field options available in free agency, but after such an impressive season, there remains the question about whether or not Grisham's success is repeatable. The Yankees have made it known that they want to bring back Cody Bellinger, and the team has been involved in rumors to acquire Kyle Tucker as well this offseason.
If Grisham returns to the Yankees, it could impact how aggressive the team's pursuit of Bellinger or Tucker, especially with Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez. How New York approaches the offseason hinges somewhat on Grisham's upcoming decision.
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