Jim Bowden says Twins among best fits for Yankees free agent outfielder Trent Grisham
In MLB insider Jim Bowden's list of top 50 MLB free agents for 2025-26, he wrote that the Minnesota Twins, along with the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels, are the best team fits for free agent outfielder Trent Grisham.
Grisham, 29, hit .235/.348/.464 for a 125 OPS+ with 34 home runs and 74 RBIs while being worth 3.5 bWAR in 581 plate appearances with the Yankees in 2025. The outfielder regressed defensively and on the basepaths, posting -2 outs above average with an average sprint speed in the 32nd percentile, but his career year at the plate more than made up for the below-average defense and speed.
Grisham's bWAR in 2025 was the highest of his career. He made his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019, playing in just 51 regular-season games before being traded to the San Diego Padres the following offseason. Grisham spent four seasons with San Diego, posting 10.1 bWAR and a 95 OPS+, before being dealt to the Yankees as part of the blockbuster Juan Soto trade in the 2023-24 offseason. Grisham struggled significantly in his first season with New York, posting 0.4 bWAR and a 91 OPS+ in 76 games, but, as stated earlier, had a great 2025 season for the Yankees.
Yankess free agent outfielder Trent Grisham doesn't make sense for the Twins to sign
Adding Grisham would be a nice addition to any team, but he likely had his best season he will ever have in 2025, and other aspects of his game, like defense and speed, have declined in recent years. Bowden predicts that Grisham will receive a two-year deal worth $30 million, which wouldn't be a huge financial commitment for the Twins, but Grisham still doesn't make sense for their roster. As far as the outfield goes, Minnesota already has Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, James Outman, Alan Roden and Trevor Larnach (although he is a non-tender candidate). Not to mention, outfield prospects Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez will likely make their MLB debuts next season. Grisham would be a nice addition, but the Twins will be better off spending money on a first baseman and relievers.