MLB Rumors: Yankees, Trent Grisham agree to $5M contract amid Juan Soto pursuit | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

The New York Yankees agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with outfielder Trent Grisham on Friday to avoid arbitration, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.

As part of the deal, Grisham could receive an additional $250,000 in bonuses tied to record performances, Castillo said.

The Yankees are also still trying to re-sign Juan Soto, as the team’s meeting with the star outfielder on Monday went “very well” (via Jon Heyman of New York Post).

Grisham and Soto came to New York as part of the same blockbuster deal with the San Diego Padres in December 2023. After spending the first season of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, Grisham spent the next four years in San Diego. to the deal.

He was a bench player for the Yankees last season and was used primarily for his defensive acumen despite his poor performance on the plate. Grisham hit .190 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs in 209 plate appearances to go along with a .675 OPS.

The two-time Gold Glove winner was on New York’s postseason roster for every series throughout the team’s American League pennant run, but he did not appear in a game after the regular season ended.

Regardless of Soto’s decision to become a free agent, Grisham should continue to be a factor among the Yankees’ outfielders in 2025.

New York remains a strong candidate to retain the four-time All-Star, especially after Monday’s meeting. Heyman reported that Soto “felt better” about the Yankees as well as owner Hal Steinbrenner after Steinbrenner’s “great pitching.”

With Grisham’s future in New York secure for next season, the front office will continue its efforts to bring Soto back.