Ranking Yankees OF Trent Grisham's Top 10 Landing Spots Ahead of MLB Free Agency

After slugging 34 home runs during the 2025 season, Trent Grisham returned to the New York Yankees when he accepted a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer last winter.

The 29-year-old failed to match his career year, hitting .211/.308/.395 for a 95 OPS+ with 18 home runs, 59 RBI and 0.6 WAR in 121 games, but he should still draw plenty of interest in free agency.

His age, on-base ability and power in a market that is thin on center field options could still land him a multi-year deal, and his defensive profile means there won't be clear overlap with the market for corner bats like Randy Arozarena and Seiya Suzuki.

A reunion with the Yankees this time around is unlikely, with Spencer Jones emerging alongside Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge to form next year's outfield, so what jersey will Grisham be wearing in 2027?

Ahead is a rundown of his top 10 speculative suitors.

With Mike Trout, Josh Lowe, Jose Siri and rookie standout Wade Meckler, the Angels have enough in-house talent to stand pat in the outfield. At the same time, Grisham feels like the sort of mid-tier veteran they have targeted in years past, and signing him would allow Trout to return to a corner spot.

The Padres had a revolving door in left field for much of the season before a platoon of Dustin Harris (100 PA, 120 OPS+, 0.9 WAR) and Samad Taylor (175 PA, 124 OPS+, 0.8 WAR) proved to be surprisingly productive. They could run it back with that tandem, but Grisham would provide a more established alternative, and San Diego is plenty familiar with his game.

How many more chances will Evan Carter get to be an everyday center fielder? The 24-year-old was a 1.9-WAR player in 2026, but it was almost solely on the strength of his defense, as he hit .194/.288/.315 for a 76 OPS+ over 455 plate appearances. At this point, he looks more like a glove-only fourth outfielder than the impactful all-around talent he hinted at early in his career.

Disappointing seasons from Dylan Beavers (104 G, 93 OPS+, -0.5 WAR) and Tyler O'Neill (85 G, 92 OPS+, 0.5 WAR) give the Orioles plenty of room to potentially upgrade alongside Colton Cowser in the outfield. The question is how far down the shopping list that will be when pitching is the clear No. 1 priority.

The Blue Jays have already been linked to Seiya Suzuki, and Randy Arozarena fits into a similar bucket as a right-handed hitting, middle-of-the-order corner outfielder. Grisham is unquestionably a tier below those two in terms of expected impact, but he could be a viable fallback plan if they whiff on those top targets.

Projected OF: LF Casey Schmitt, CF Drew Gilbert, RF Jung Hoo Lee

The unmitigated disaster that was the Harrison Bader signing could scare the Giants away from another high-profile addition to the outfield, but it's a group that is far from settled.

Drew Gilbert posted an .812 OPS in 142 plate appearances over the final two months of the season, and he is a plus defender in center field (3 DRS, 5 OAA), so he is a viable in-house candidate if they decide to focus on pitching.

Otherwise, Grisham has the speed and defensive reputation to be a good fit in spacious Oracle Park, and Gilbert could still factor into the starting mix with Casey Schmitt best used as a first baseman or designated hitter.

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Projected OF: LF Isaac Collins, CF Kyle Isbel, RF Jac Caglianone

The emergence of Jac Caglianone gives the Royals one clear answer in the outfield after they entered the 2026 season with three genuine question marks, but they could still use an upgrade at the other two spots.

The Royals ranked 28th in OPS for left fielders (.660) and 24th in OPS for center fielders (.658), and the returning trio of Kyle Isbel, Isaac Collins and John Rave probably all profile best as fourth outfielders on a contending team.

Grisham's asking price will be the determining factor in whether the Royals are viable contenders for his services, but he looks like a solid buy-low target to potentially upgrade one of their biggest roster holes.

Projected OF: LF Michael Arroyo, CF Julio Rodríguez, RF Dominic Canzone

Ideally, the Mariners would find a way to retain Randy Arozarena, who was easily their most productive hitter in 2026, though that will likely require a nine-figure commitment as he is arguably the top bat on the market.

They could also opt to go young, using Michael Arroyo in left field after he went 13-for-35 with two doubles and one home run in 15 games as a September call-up, and he has a long track record of production in the minors.

However, Grisham would give them an established everyday option, a viable platoon partner for the right-handed hitting Arroyo and a capable backup for Julio Rodríguez in center field. That last part is important, assuming they decline a $9 million club option on Victor Robles as expected.

Projected OF: LF JJ Bleday, CF Dane Myers, RF Héctor Rodríguez

Aside from a strong season from scrapheap pickup JJ Bleday (105 OPS+, 24 HR, 1.2 WAR), the Reds outfield was sorely lacking in impact production in 2026, and that has been a recurring theme in recent years.

Dane Myers had a 101 OPS+ over 334 plate appearances, but with 19 extra-base hits, a .377 slugging percentage and an OPS that was 99 points higher against left-handed pitching, he is a straight platoon option.

That actually makes the Grisham fit even stronger, as he could pair with Myers in center field and give the team a potential insurance policy while young guys like Héctor Rodríguez and Carlos Jorge work to establish themselves as big league options.

Projected OF: LF Taylor Trammell, CF Lucas Spence, RF Cam Smith

Cam Smith started 139 games in right field for the Astros last season, but left field and center field were as "by-committee" as any team in baseball while they searched for answers.

They ultimately used 12 different starting left fielders and eight different starting center fielders, with no one reaching 40 starts at either position.

Lucas Spence showed enough down the stretch to get a long look this spring, but they can't enter another season hoping the likes of Taylor Trammell, Jake Meyers, Joey Loperfido and Brice Matthews can absorb everyday playing time.

Expect them to cast a wide net in their search for outfield help, and their center field need specifically helps put Grisham high on their list of potential targets.