The New York Yankees’ 2025 season has been anything but predictable — and in the unpredictable lies opportunity. With ace Gerrit Cole sidelined for the year, Devin Williams in full meltdown mode, and the lineup somehow still leading the AL East, it’s clear this team is winning despite the odds. And perhaps no player better represents that improbable rise than Trent Grisham.
Yes, that Trent Grisham. The one who limped to a .190 average in his Yankees debut last year. The same Grisham who looked more like a fourth outfielder than a fixture. But this year? He’s turned into a bat-wielding machine.
From Afterthought to Yankees Breakout Star
Grisham’s transformation has been one of the league’s most surprising storylines. His .294/.374/.651 slash line, 12 homers, and 22 RBIs have vaulted him into top-five slugger territory — right up there with Shohei Ohtani.
This isn’t just “hot streak” stuff. It’s been sustained. He’s producing in a lineup that features Judge, Soto, and a rejuvenated Goldschmidt — and yet, Grisham’s name keeps popping up.
But here’s the catch: the Yankees’ outfield is crowded. With Soto, Judge, Goldschmidt rotating at DH, and Ben Rice locking down leadoff duties, playing time is a luxury, not a guarantee. And as the rotation continues to wobble behind Clarke Schmidt and Nestor Cortes, the Yankees might need to make a tough call.
Sell High, Buy Smart?
That’s where the trade chatter comes in. TJ French of Heavy floated the idea of shipping Grisham to Atlanta in exchange for starter Grant Holmes. On paper? It’s a classic “sell-high, buy-low” maneuver.
Holmes isn’t flashy, but he’s posted a 4.14 ERA over eight starts — and he could slot in nicely as a No. 4 arm while the Yankees wait on Marcus Stroman’s return and navigate Will Warren’s inconsistency.
Holmes is also under the Atlanta Braves control and still building his resume, which makes him a cost-effective depth piece. That has real value for a team scraping together innings every fifth day.
The Emotional Math
Of course, this wouldn’t be an easy sell for fans. Grisham’s raking. He’s finally figured it out. And letting go of a guy on pace for 30+ homers in mid-May feels like asking for regret.
But there’s also logic in striking while the iron’s hot. Grisham has never put up numbers like this before. And while he could be the real deal, the odds suggest some regression is coming. So, is now the perfect moment to move him, while his value is sky-high and your rotation is gasping for help? That’s the gamble.
The Yankees don’t have to trade Trent Grisham. But if they believe their window is open, and they’re serious about getting Cole-less rotation help without gutting the farm system, this kind of move might be what gets them from “fun surprise” to “actual contender.”
Either way, this is one of those storylines that perfectly captures the Yankees’ current state—riding a high but always calculating the next move.
