Part 4/13:
One of the day’s most striking stories involves Trent Gisham. The Yankees have accepted his qualifying offer, meaning he will return on a $22 million deal for 2026. Gisham’s performance in 2023—34 home runs, a .350 OBP, and a 125 OPS+—made him a prime candidate for multi-year deals. The fact that he’s only signing for one year at this price raises questions: Is Gisham trying to maximize his earnings before a potential lockout in 2027, which could freeze salaries? Or do the Yankees see this as a way to hedge against future uncertainty?