Last year it was Juan Soto.
This year it's Cody Bellinger And Trent Grisham.
Second off-season in a row Yankees There are big questions about their outfield as Bellinger and Grisham are weeks away from testing free agency.
Bellinger has a player option worth $25 million for next season, and opting out would likely allow the 30-year-old to cash in after a productive first year in pinstripes.
Bellinger said after Wednesday evening. season-ending loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that he wanted to discuss the future with his family and agent Scott Boras, but admitted that he would “absolutely” want to return to the Yankees.
“I had an incredible time putting on this uniform, Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys created in this locker room, and it's really special,” Bellinger said after the 5-2 loss in Game 4 of the ALDS.
Bellinger, whose father Clay Bellinger played for the Yankees from 1999 to 2001, said he has not spoken with general manager Brian Cashman.
“It was fun to be a part of this group,” Bellinger added. “It didn’t work out, and that part definitely stings because we had a really, really good group here.”
On Friday, ESPN reports this. Bellinger planned to refuse. Grisham, 28, has not spoken to the media since Wednesday's loss.
Bellinger and Grisham have helped the Yankees fill the offensive depth vacated by the departure last winter of Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets.
Yankees acquired Bellinger in a December deal with the Chicago Cubs as part of their post-Soto turnaround.
Lefty Bellinger batted .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs and an .813 OPS while providing elite outfield defense. The versatile veteran has spent significant time at all three outfield positions and also made seven appearances at first base.
Grisham, a two-time Gold Glove winner, arrived in the same trade with the San Diego Padres that sent Soto to the Yankees ahead of the 2024 season.
Although Grisham was primarily a bench player in 2024, he hit 34 home runs this year, doubling his previous career high. Grisham, a left-handed hitter, became the Yankees' primary center fielder and their leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers.
“That's the main reason I was so excited about this club,” manager Aaron Boone said of Bellinger and Grisham after Wednesday's loss.
“Very proud of who these guys were and are, and who they became as players, as the driving force behind our team. … I'm grateful that I got to manage those two guys. Who knows? Hopefully, in both cases, I can continue to do that.”
The Yankees have Aaron Judge solidified in right field, and 22-year-old Yasson Dominguez has made 100 appearances in left field this season despite losing playing time behind veterans along the way.
Another inside option is powerhouse center fielder Spencer Jones, one of the Yankees' top prospects who finished the season in Triple-A.
Bellinger and Grisham are expected to be the top two outfielders in a free agent market led by Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs.
Place Bellinger projects a market value of $30.4 million in average annual salary and Grisham's of $12.1 million.
“It’s been fun watching them, fun learning from them, and hopefully we can get them back,” Judge said. “We'll see what happens.”
