Final yr, it was Juan Soto.
This yr, it’s Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham.
For the second offseason in a row, the Yankees have massive questions on their outfield, with Bellinger and Grisham now a number of weeks away from with the ability to take a look at free company.
Bellinger holds a $25 million participant choice for subsequent season, and opting out would doubtless enable the 30-year-old to money in after a productive first yr in pinstripes.
Bellinger mentioned after Wednesday evening’s season-ending loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that he desires to debate the longer term together with his household and agent Scott Boras, however he acknowledged he would “absolutely” prefer to return to the Yankees.
“I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform, Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room, and it really is special,” Bellinger mentioned after the 5-2 defeat in Sport 4 of the ALDS.
Bellinger — whose father, Clay Bellinger, performed for the Yankees from 1999-2001 — mentioned he had not spoken to basic supervisor Brian Cashman.
“It was a fun group to be a part of,” Bellinger added. “Came up short and that part stinks for sure, because we had a really, really good group here.”
On Friday, ESPN reported Bellinger deliberate to decide out. Grisham, 28, didn’t communicate to the media following Wednesday’s loss.
Bellinger and Grisham helped the Yankees fill the offensive manufacturing vacated by final winter’s departure of Soto, who left for a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets.
The Yankees acquired Bellinger in a December commerce with the Chicago Cubs as a part of their post-Soto pivot.
The lefty-swinging Bellinger batted .272 with 29 dwelling runs, 98 RBI and an .813 OPS whereas offering elite outfield protection. The versatile veteran spent appreciable time in any respect three outfield positions and made seven appearances at first base as properly.
Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove winner, arrived in the identical commerce with the San Diego Padres that despatched Soto to the Yankees earlier than the 2024 season.
Whereas Grisham was primarily a bench piece in 2024, he broke out this yr with 34 dwelling runs, doubling his earlier profession excessive. The lefty-hitting Grisham emerged because the Yankees’ main heart fielder and as their leadoff hitter towards right-handed pitchers.
“They’re a big reason why I was so excited about this club down the stretch,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned of Bellinger and Grisham after Wednesday’s loss.
“Really proud of who those guys were and are, and what they became as players, as driving forces for our team. …. I’m grateful to get to have managed those two guys. Who knows? Hopefully in both cases, I get to keep doing it.”
The Yankees have Aaron Choose entrenched in proper area, whereas 22-year-old Jasson Domínguez made 100 appearances in left area this season regardless of dropping enjoying time behind the veterans down the stretch.
One other inner choice is power-hitting heart fielder Spencer Jones, one of many Yankees’ high prospects, who completed the season at Triple-A.
Bellinger and Grisham are anticipated to be two of the highest outfielders in a free-agent market headlined by Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs.
Spotrac tasks Bellinger’s market worth to be an annual common wage of $30.4 million and for Grisham’s to be $12.1 million.
“It was fun to watch them, fun to learn from them, and hopefully we can run them back,” Choose mentioned. “We’ll see what happens.”
