“One of the most boneheaded things” - Fans stunned as Yankees hand $22M qualifying offer to Trent Grisham after postseason collapse

Before Thursday's 5 pm deadline, the New York Yankees made a shocking move by offering a one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, and fans are already calling out Brian Cashman's front office this early in the offseason.

Grisham is 29 and is currently a free agent. He came to the Yankees in a blockbuster Juan Soto trade before the 2024 season. In 2025, he had a great offensive year, hitting .235 to go along with 34 home runs and 74 RBIs.

Fans started reacting to this, calling out the front office. One fan called it as he sees it:

"If Grisham accepts, this will be one of the most boneheaded things the Yankees front office has done in a while. 22 million dollars for a declining-defense outfielder who had a fluke offensive year." "What is Cashman thinking! Why pick up $22M option for a guy that barely batted 230. How is this improving the Yankees and how does this possibly open up the door for Dominguez or Jones. Grisham would be a fool to test free agency because no team will offer better…smh," another fan added. "If he accepts forget Spencer Jones becoming the CF. He might even get traded which would be a big mistake. They better hope someone offers Grisham a sweeter deal. He's not worth 22 mil," one fan wrote. "Terrible decision. Cashman is a terrorist," one fan added.

Some Yankees fans are begging Grisham not to take the qualifying offer.

"Please don’t take it ! 🙏" one fan wrote. "Please deny," one fan added. "LMFAOOOOO WHATTTTT," one fan commented.

Why Yankees' benefit from extending QO to Trent Grisham?

While the fans don't think the move makes much sense, the Yankees front office does. Given his career-high season, Trent Grisham might be tempted to decline the $22 million qualifying offer and test free agency, where he could attract multi-year offers ranging from $25 million to $30 million per year.

In free agency, if Grisham signs elsewhere, the Yankees will receive a compensation pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.

According to Spotrac, Grisham's market value is $12.1 million, which is half what Yankees are offering in the qualifying offer.

Edited by Krutik Jain