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Stay or Go: Should Yankees bring Trent Grisham back for 2027 season?

The New York Yankees face a critical decision in free agency regarding the future of outfielder Trent Grisham, whose 2026 season ended on a starkly contrasting note to his breakout 2025 campaign. After leading MLB with 34 home runs and a career-high .811 OPS in 2025, Grisham struggled mightily in 2026, posting a .211 batting average, 18 home runs, and a .703 OPS—well below league average—while battling hamstring injuries that limited him to 121 games.

His postseason performance in the AL Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays was equally dismal, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in Game 3, including the final out of the Yankees' season, as the team fell to a one-run loss. Despite the downturn, Grisham remains a fan favorite, having won Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2022 with the San Diego Padres and showing flashes of his elite power and plate discipline in his prime.

The Yankees now weigh whether to re-sign him for 2027, especially as they develop younger outfielders like Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez, while also considering Grisham’s loyalty and chemistry with the organization after expressing his love for playing in the Bronx.

Grisham’s case hinges on whether his 2026 slump was an anomaly or a sign of declining production. His expected batting average and slugging percentage suggest he could have performed better based on contact quality, but injuries and inconsistency raise questions about his reliability.

With a deep outfield talent pool emerging—including Cody Bellinger and Heliot Ramos—team brass must decide if Grisham’s veteran leadership and occasional elite power justify another multi-million-dollar contract, or if the Yankees should invest in younger alternatives to build around Aaron Judge for years to come.

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