MLB Free Agency Buzz: 2 Yankees Are 'As Good As Gone'

The New York Yankees are in for some changes this offseason. They fell far short of their goals once again in 2026, and there are several players hitting the market as free agents. Two of them will most certainly not be back, according to an ESPN report.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report writes:

It does seem like a few subtractions are already surfacing. As ESPN's Jorge Castillo put it, "Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham are as good as gone." This stops well short of qualifying as a jaw-dropping surprise, but it does represent a fairly big pivot. Both Chisholm and Grisham were top-eight on the team in at-bats during both the regular season and the playoffs. Splitting from them would mean needing to find new starters at both second base and center field. 

He goes on to predict that Chisholm signs with the Detroit Tigers, who are losing a former Yankee of their, own second baseman Gleyber Torres, to free agency this winter. Buckley also projects Grisham to join the Cincinnati Reds. 

Chisholm joined the Bronx Bombers at the trade deadline in 2024, and provided an immediate boost, with a .900 OPS in his 46 games. 

His first full season, in 2025, was a success as well, batting .242 with 31 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases while being named an All-Star. He boldly boasted that he was shooting for a 50-50 season in 2026, but it was far from it. The fiery infielder/outfielder batted .231 with just 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. He did steal 41 bases, but his overall impact was limited, as evidenced by his 97 OPS+ (3% worse than the league-average hitter) . 

Grisham had a much steeper decline coming off his career year of 2025. His home runs sunk from 34 to 18, runs from 87 to 67, and his OPS from .811 to .703 (95 OPS+). 

The Yanks expect to be able to fill those 2B & CF spots from within (unless they try to make a big splash in free agency or on the trade market).