Last year, it was Juan Soto.
This year, it’s Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham.
For the second offseason in a row, the Yankees are facing major uncertainties about their outfield, with players like Bellinger and Grisham nearing the opportunity to explore free agency.
Bellinger has a $25 million player option for the upcoming season, and choosing to opt-out could allow the 30-year-old to secure another lucrative deal after an impressive first year with the Yankees.
Following Wednesday night’s season-ending loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Bellinger mentioned he plans to discuss his future with his family and agent Scott Boras, though he expressed a definite interest in returning to the Yankees.
“I had an amazing experience wearing this uniform, playing at Yankee Stadium, feeling the support of the fans, and being part of the organization and the unique culture that’s been built in this locker room, which is really special,” Bellinger remarked after the 5-2 loss in Game 4 of the ALDS.
Bellinger — whose father, Clay Bellinger, played for the Yankees from 1999-2001 — said he had not spoken to general manager Brian Cashman.
“It was a fantastic group to be with,” Bellinger continued. “Falling short is tough, especially because we had such a promising team here.”
On Friday, ESPN reported Bellinger planned to opt out. Grisham, 28, did not speak to the media following Wednesday’s loss.
Bellinger and Grisham were key in compensating for the offensive gap left by Soto’s exit last winter, as he joined the Mets with a 15-year, $765 million deal.
The Yankees acquired Bellinger in a December trade with the Chicago Cubs as part of their post-Soto pivot.
The lefty-swinging Bellinger batted .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and an .813 OPS while providing elite outfield defense. The versatile veteran spent considerable time at all three outfield positions and made seven appearances at first base as well.
Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove winner, arrived in the same trade with the San Diego Padres that sent Soto to the Yankees before the 2024 season.
While Grisham was primarily a bench piece in 2024, he broke out this year with 34 home runs, doubling his previous career high. The lefty-hitting Grisham emerged as the Yankees’ primary center fielder and as their leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers.
“They’re a big reason why I was so excited about this club down the stretch,” manager Aaron Boone said 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 Judge entrenched in right field, while 22-year-old Jasson Domínguez made 100 appearances in left field this season despite losing playing time behind the veterans down the stretch.
Another internal option is power-hitting center fielder Spencer Jones, one of the Yankees’ top prospects, who finished the season at Triple-A.
Bellinger and Grisham are expected to be two of the top outfielders in a free-agent market headlined by Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs.
Spotrac projects Bellinger’s market value to be an annual average salary 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,” Judge said. “We’ll see what happens.”
