Former Padres outfielder and current Yankees slugger breaks silence on free agency

Jon Conahan

Former Padres outfielder and current Yankees slugger breaks silence on free agency image

The New York Yankees have a few questions heading into the winter. 

For former San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham, who was a throw-in in the Juan Soto trade, his value might be higher than ever. 

Grisham has really swung the bat at a high level, and given that he plays elite defense in the outfield, there's reason to believe another team around the league could give him the money he could be looking for. 

Trent Grisham's value is at an all-time high

On the season, Grisham has 25 home runs, 50 RBIs, and is hitting nearly .250. Factor that in with his above-average defense, and he's good for a 3.1 bWAR. 

When speaking to reporters about his upcoming free agency, the former Padres outfielder admitted that it's tough not to think about it, but that he just wants to stay in the present moment and do what he has to do. 

"I'm doing everything I can to just really stay present with the team and continue the good year," Grisham said to the New York Daily News's Gary Phillips. "I would be lying if I said it hasn't crossed my mind, but every time it does, I really try to get back into the present."

MORE: Here’s how Padres’ Michael King plans to make up for long absence

As Grisham looks to the short-term, the Yankees need to start playing better baseball. 

Unlike the Padres, they haven't been great over the past few months, now in third place in the American League East. 

For a team that had World Series aspirations entering the campaign, the Yankees have plenty to figure out. Grisham has been one of the lone bright spots on the team, so they can't blame him for their rough play.

Jon Conahan

Jon Conahan is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A 2022 Penn State University graduate who majored in journalism, he was also a member of the school's D1 baseball team. His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Heavy and other outlets. Jon makes home in North Jersey, but also resides in Cape Coral, Florida, for parts of the year. He’s an avid fan of the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins and Milwaukee Bucks.