On a Tight Budget, Rangers Could Find a Valuable Outfielder Option in Trent Grisham

Texas needs outfield help

The Rangers have several roster needs heading into an offseason expected to be shortened by an impending lockout. Chris Young and his staff must address much of the roster, including finding a center fielder who can contribute at the plate.

With the team looking to spend on the margins, the available choices may be limited. Grisham could offer a way to add a potential impact bat without a major commitment.

Grisham’s contrasting seasons

Grisham broke out in 2025 after joining the Yankees in a December 2023 trade that also sent Juan Soto to New York. In a healthy season, he recorded a 128 wRC+, 34 home runs and 74 RBIs.

His 2026 season was disrupted by two hamstring strains and time on the injured list. His production fell after his first stint on the injured list, and he finished with a 98 wRC+, 18 home runs and 59 RBIs.

A possible one-year fit

A one-year contract could give the Rangers a chance to see whether Grisham can return to his 2025 form. FanGraphs projects him for a 107 wRC+ and 20 home runs in 2027.

By comparison, Texas center fielders posted a 96 wRC+ and 17 home runs in 2026. That projected difference could provide a meaningful boost, though Grisham’s health and earlier record remain reasons for caution.

Cost and Texas ties

Grisham’s decline in 2026 could make him available at a price suited to the Rangers’ preference for adding players on the margins. The story describes the free-agent group as one of the weaker classes in some time, which could leave him overlooked. Grisham is a Texas native, and being closer to home could give the Rangers an advantage if other teams pursue him.