Heading into the winter, the Yankees didn’t have much outfield depth on their MLB roster, as Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham went to free agency. Grisham returned on November 18, as he accepted his qualifying offer. The 18th was the deadline to accept, and Grisham was one of four to take the one-year offer.

4 players accepted QO

Brandon Woodruff, Trent Grisham, Gleyber Torres, and Shota Imanaga all accepted their qualifying offers, which are worth $22.05MM for one year. By doing so, it locks in their contracts for 2026.

All four players had flaws in their free agency candidacies.

Grisham had a career for the Yankees, as he belted 34 home runs for the Bronx Bombers this past season. However, Grisham is a heavy pull hitter, which didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things in 2025. In fact, 21 of his 34 home runs came away from The Bronx, and he posted a better OPS (.904) on the road than at home (.703).

Additionally, Grisham had several down years before his breakthrough 2025 season.

Woodruff spent most of the year on the IL, including the last few weeks and the postseason, with a lat strain. He pitched well for the Brewers, as he struck out 83 over 64.2 IP. However, a lengthy injury history and a velocity dip in 2025 worked against him

Torres was an All-Star for the Tigers in 2025. However, he had a bad second half and required sports hernia surgery after the 2025 campaign.

Lastly, Imanaga didn’t replicate his strong 2024 numbers, as the Cubs’ left-hander gave up 31 home runs, tied for fourth-most in the Majors this season alongside Zac Gallen and Chris Paddack. His K/9 dipped as well, from 9.0 to 7.3.

The four players’ respective teams are now responsible for their one-year deals.

Nine players, headlined by Kyle Schwarber, Kyle Tucker, and Edwin Diaz, declined their qualifying offers.

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