Last year, it was Juan Soto.
This year, it’s Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham.
For the second offseason in a row, the Yankees have big questions about their outfield, with Bellinger and Grisham now a few weeks away from being able to test free agency.
Bellinger holds a $25 million player option 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 night’s season-ending loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that he wants to discuss the future with his family and agent Scott Boras, but he acknowledged he would “absolutely” like to return to the Yankees.
“I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform, Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room, and it really is special,” Bellinger said after the 5-2 defeat 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 fun group to be a part of,” Bellinger added. “Came up short and that part stinks for sure, because we had a really, really good group 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 helped the Yankees fill the offensive production vacated by last winter’s departure of Soto, who left for a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets.
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.”
