Trent

Grisham

Grisham was a little bit shaken up on the triple, not because he was hit by the throw, even though he was, but because he dove into the foot that Matt Chapman had planted in front of third base even though he didn’t have the ball. Fortunately, he was able to remain in the game.

Rice steps into the heart of New York’s loaded lineup behind Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger following last year’s 26-homer breakthrough campaign. The 27-year-old slugger’s realistic 30-homer ceiling makes him an upper-echelon fantasy catcher heading into the regular season. Here’s the full lineup set to face Giants ace Logan Webb at Oracle Park in primetime: Trent Grisham (CF), Judge (RF), Bellinger (LF), Rice (1B), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), José Caballero (SS), Ryan McMahon (3B) and Austin Wells (C).

Grisham got the Yankees on the board first with a two-run single off of Joe Boyle in the second inning. That would prove to be all of the run support that Cam Schlittler and company would require in this one. Grisham went down on strikes in each of his other two plate appearances in the ballgame. For the spring, he’s hitting a paltry .118 (2-for-17) with a 6/2 K/BB ratio in the early going.

This is probably the biggest surprise of the QO decisions, as it sounded like Grisham would have an opportunity to make similar money on a two- or three-year deal. Apparently, he wasn’t seeing that market. Grisham busted out offensively last season, but at the same time, his defense declined, which might have caused other teams to look at him as more of a corner outfield. The Yankees will probably keep him in center for now. They’re still expected to try to re-sign Cody Bellinger (or perhaps make a run at Kyle Tucker), which could leave little room for Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones.

Passan adds that Kyle Schwarber, Bo Bichette, Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez, Edwin Díaz, Zac Gallen, Shota Imanaga, Michael King, Trent Grisham, Gleyber Torres and Brandon Woodruff are the other dozen impending free agent to receive the tag prior to Thursday evening’s deadline. They have until Tuesday, November 18 to decide whether to accept the one-year deal or decline and become free agents. Only 14 of 144 players to receive a qualifying offer since 2012 have actually accepted it. It’s worth noting that players who were on multiple teams — Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez — along with players who have previously received a qualifying offer — Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger and Alex Bregman — were ineligible to receive one this offseason.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone will not make any changes with New York facing Blue Jays rookie sensation Trey Yesavage following a lopsided series-opening defeat earlier this weekend. Here’s the full lineup: Trent Grisham (CF), Judge (RF), Cody Bellinger (LF), Ben Rice (1B), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (3B), Ryan McMahon (3B), Anthony Volpe (SS) and Austin Wells (C).

Grisham has turned into peak Joey Gallo over the last month; he has 12 homers but only nine other hits in his last 26 games. Throw in the 15 walks and he’s sporting a .223/.339/.606 line in his last 26 games. He has 33 homers overall this season, yet just 10 other extra-base hits (nine doubles, one triple).

Grisham led off the game with a single and scored the game’s first run on Cody Bellinger’s RBI single in the top half of the first inning. He then did his damage off of Twins’ right-hander Zebby Matthews in the second inning, with his 391-foot two-run shot increasing the Yankees’ lead to 5-1. The 28-year-old outfielder has been an absolute monster for the Bombers this season, slashing .238/.347/.465 with 31 long balls and 67 RBI in 536 plate appearances.

Grisham will take a seat with left-hander Tyler Holton serving as an opener for the Tigers. Expect him to come off the bench at some point to punish a right-handed reliever. The 28-year-old is having an unbelievable season at the dish, slashing .242/.349/.470 with 30 homers, 64 RBI and three stolen bases across 516 plate appearances for the Bombers.

Grisham’s three-run homer off Kaleb Ort in the eighth made it 8-3 and appeared to put away the game, though the Astros did make things a little interesting in the ninth. He’s the 13th player this season to reach the 30-homer mark. He totaled just nine in 209 plate appearances as a bit player last year. If the Yankees had it to do over again, they just might have committed to him instead of Alex Verdugo.