Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Trent Grisham

One of the biggest surprises from the 2025 season was the career year Trent Grisham put up. A year so uncharacteristically good that it changed the trajectory of his market and likely doubled, at least, his next contract.

After three straight seasons hitting below .200 with a sub-100 wRC+, Grisham slashed .235/.348/.464 with 34 home runs and a 129 wRC+. His 34 home runs were exactly double his previous career-high of 17 from the 2022 season.

What’s crazier is his expected stats were even better. A .257 xBA, .509 xSLG, and .377 xwOBA show this was not simply luck. His success came from what is actually a very elementary equation. More more contact + pull the ball in the air.

Grisham has shown the ability to make hard contact in the past but not to the degree and regularity we saw this season. He tapped into more power by leaning into pulling the ball in the air 23.5% of the time, a career-high.

So, what do we make of this season? A new career trajectory or an outlier season? I guess we’ll have to see what the market tells us.

Free Agent Profile: Trent Grisham

• Age in 2026: 29

• 2025 Stats: .235/.348/.464, 34 HR, 74 RBI, 3 SB, 129 wRC+, 14.1% BB%, 23.6% K%

• 2025 Salary: $5 million

Contract Projection

• Contract Length: 2-4 Years
• Expected AAV: $12-$17 million

Grisham finds himself in a unique predicament. Coming off a year like he just had, and being only 29 years old, he could seek a shorter term deal in hopes of relaying this newfound success into a larger contract once he hits the market again in a year or two.

Or, he could look to capitalize on his season and take an offer that allows more security. I think Grisham falls into the level of free agent that smaller markets start to dabble with and perhaps get creative with their contract. A deal with player options is not our of the question.

In terms of AAV, Grisham will likely fall in the $12-$17 million range with shorter deals being on the higher side. Last offseason we saw Michael Conforto land a one-year, $17 million contract and Anthony Santander get five years and $92.5 million ($18.5 AAV) with a unique structure and an opt-out.

I expect Grisham to fall into this AAV range mostly due to his track record combined with his declining defense and speed. I’m not sure we can say with confidence what type of player Grisham truly is, which limits his term, but his 2025 season increases the money.

Free Agent Landing Spots for Trent Grisham

New York Yankees

How about just staying in New York? With Cody Bellinger potentially leaving the Bronx, the Yankees might be interested in bringing Grisham back to avoid losing too much in one offseason. The fit made sense then and now.

Prospect Spencer Jones is coming off a great season and will be added to the 40-man roster to avoid being exposed in the Rule 5 Draft. Although there’s upside and power in his bat, the Yankees are unlikely to hand him a starting spot. Too much variance in his projection to do so.

Bringing back Grisham, on a short-term deal, would allow the Yankees to buy some time before making a more “final” decision on their outfield. The Bellinger situation, or landing a bigger name than Grisham, could derail this possibility quickly.

My gut feeling is that Grisham is a plan B or C for the Yankees, but a plan they would still be satisfied, but not ecstatic, with. The Yankees need to boost their offense and I wonder if they think Grisham can continue to hit at the level he did in 2025.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are one of, if not the most, interesting teams this offseason. With a number of their own players hitting free agency, their list of decisions to be made is quite long. The need for a center fielder has been a discussion for a couple of seasons and although Harrison Bader was a great answer, he too has hit the open market.

Even if they bring back Bader, which they should, Grisham makes sense. Two players coming off above-average years, both of which have platooned in the past, could be the perfect blend of rolling the dice and also having insurance for one falling back to career norms.

Outfielder Nick Castellanos could be on his way out while Max Kepler is also hitting free agency. With so many moving parts in the outfield there’s a domino effect at play. Losing Kyle Schwarber also impacts the potential of this move.

At the end of the day the Phillies need a center fielder and Grisham is one of the better options on the market. Money should not prohibit the Phillies in any way, and Grisham can have the luxury of playing for a contender.

Cincinnati Reds

Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos, and Jeimer Candelario all have a similar feeling to this potential marriage. Good-not-great players who the Reds give an extra year, an opt-out, a few extra dollars to sign them off a better-than-career-average year.

Cincinnati made the playoffs and need to add to their outfield if they want to return next October. The lineup is heavy with righties which makes the Grisham fit make sense. The lineup could also use some experience, especially playoff experience, which Grisham also brings.

For Grisham, you would get the opportunity to play in a hitter-friendly ballpark which should help your numbers in hopes for another payday. A deal with opt-outs makes sense for Grisham and could be the type of contract that the Reds have to offer in order to land him.

I’m not sure if Grisham fits into what the Reds want to do offensively, but there aren’t a lot of options that they could realistically pivot to. Unless they are willing to pay more than we have seen recently, Cincinnati will have to live with some red flags in their free agent signings.

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City has tried to figure out their outfield in a multitude of ways. Veterans, trades, and prospects but the production continues to lack. Jac Caglianone will help booster their outlook, but it’s time to do more than fringe players elsewhere.

The Royals have a solid core with a couple of prospects that could make for a legit top half of their lineup. Raising the ceiling from the remaining slots is how they can really improve as a team. Grisham helps to solidify their outfield while not breaking the bank.

Although the lineup is lefty-heavy on paper, I imagine a few of their current lefty bats are also upgraded. Similar to the Reds, the Royals might be willing to give Grisham the extra year or opt-out that other teams shy away from.

Los Angeles Angeles

We cannot talk about players of this caliber without at least mentioning the Angels. Each offseason they make moves that might not make sense but we need to start accepting that as a reality. Plus, we know they aren’t scared of a risky deal.

Jo Adell had a breakout season but does not need to be in center field. If Taylor Ward is actually traded, Adell can move to left, opening a spot for Grisham in center. Defense would immediately be improved while another veteran lefty bat is added to a lineup that is extremely righty-heavy. Their entire lineup outside of Nolan Schanuel are right-handed bats, with the hole at third notwithstanding.

In terms of guarantees, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Angels offer the most. Their need is much greater than other teams listed and have shown these types of players fit their roster construction model. Unless they are willing to throw a lot more money at a more established free agent, Grisham is about the best they could do.