Juan Soto isn’t the only one coming to the Bronx this offseason. So is MLBbro Trent Grisham.
On Wednesday night, the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres put together a blockbuster deal to send young superstar Soto to the Bronx along with Grisham.
The Padres received right-handed pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez, Drew Thorpe, and catcher Kyle Higashioka.
Who Is MLBbro Trent Grisham?
Last season, the Padres had one of the highest payrolls in the majors; however, they underperformed.
Grisham put up steady numbers but struggled to recapture his all-around game. He batted 198. for the season and knocked in 50 RBIs and 13 home runs.
In five seasons (rookie season spent with Milwaukee Brewers) Grisham has accumulated three campaigns of double-digit homers and stolen bases, so he’s a weapon that the Yankees don’t have in abundance.
The centerfielder now has a new home until his contract is up in two years. Grisham could have better numbers like his outfield counterpart Soto, but he may consume the depth role. Grisham is not shy to be available. In his last two seasons, he played almost every game. Coming off the bench might be an adjustment for the outfielder, as he started nearly all of the games last year for the Padres.
With the hopes of Grisham embracing the bench role, he put together a solid career thus far. Grisham was drafted in 2015 in the first round by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 15th pick.
After being drafted, Grisham was sent down to the minors.
Grisham played double-A and triple-A for the next three years. In that time in the minors, he put together solid stats and showed signs of a promising young star.
In 2019, he got the call-up by appearing in 51 games that year. In those games, Grisham finished with a 231—batting average.
This showed the potential.
Milwaukee traded Grisham to the Padres. He spent the next four years as San Diego’s starting centerfielder. Those next four years would be an up-and-down adventure as Grisham remained a starter but couldn’t find his footing at the plate. During the Covid-shortened season, he would manage a career-best .251 batting average. Through it all, Grisham has produced some exciting moments, flashed great potential and out in work off the field.
How Does Grisham Fit With Yankees?
With Grisham coming over in this trade, it puts the Yankees in a good spot to make the offseason. There are numerous ways the Yanks can use him. He might get put on the bench along with others, like Isaia Kinner-Falfa, the utility player.
Grisham will round out the bench perfectly and provide a winning mentality in the locker room, which is something the Yankees could use. Yankees teams in recent years have often struggled with its share of egos and injury.
A new exciting piece could provide everybody with a revamped mindset. Grisham has two years left on his contract, and it’s not expensive. $4.2 million is what Grisham is going to be owed in his deal. This allows the Yankees to make him an affordable piece they could potentially move for upgraded pitching later on in the game.
In a recent interview with the YES Network, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said:
“We want the best team possible; after this trade, we think we can compete for a championship,” Cashman said.
This could mean Grisham can be traded again before the season starts or at the end of this year. However, the scenario plays out: the Yankees have improved their chances of competing for a World Series and Trent Grisham can become a crucial piece to this New York clubhouse.
Just ask LA Angels first base coach Bo Porter and MLB Network.
