Yankees' trade speculation swirls as Thursday's lineup omission has fans concerned

The Yankees' triumphant (yet frustrating) victory on Wednesday night likely solidified themselves as hard buyers. In the process, winning three out of their last four also might have saved two players on expiring deals from being traded before Thursday's deadline.

One of those players is Trent Grisham, who saved the team with a game-tying homer in the eighth. Many believed he could be on the move because he's a free agent after this year and the Yankees need to prioritize reps for Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones sooner rather than later.

But Grisham is an important piece for New York right now. He slugged his career-high 18th home run and has been among the few consistent players on offense all year, especially in the clutch. Unless the Yankees are offered a king's ransom, Grisham can't go.

Well ... have they been offered that king's ransom? Or is Grisham injured after digging out an attempt at a bunt single in extras on Wednesday night? Because he's not in Thursday's lineup for the 1 p.m. ET game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Yankees Trade Rumors: Trent Grisham out of Thursday's lineup spurs speculation

SNY's Andy Martino brought up the possibility of Grisham being dealt recently, as the Yankees trade deadline plans were supposedly going to come down to the wire with their performance dictating what might be done. He mentioned the Mets as a possible suitor. We also know the Dodgers need a center fielder. So the opportunity is certainly there for the Yankees to strike.

Then again, Grisham has battled hamstring tightness for a good portion of this season, and after an 11-inning marathon followed by a bizarre afternoon game on trade deadline day, the safer assumption would be that this is just a day of rest (against a righty with reverse splits) for the slugger, who has played in every game since the All-Star break ended.

Still, though, that won't stop fans from speculating. A's star closer Mason Miller wasn't used in a save situation on Wednesday night as trade rumors heated up. Twins utility man Willi Castro was pulled from Minnesota's game early. Call it bad timing. Call it Yankees not being able to read the room. But we have until 6 p.m. ET to know for sure.