New York Yankees Could Make Critical Mistake with Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The New York Yankees made one of the best moves they've made in recent memory when they traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the 2024 trade deadline. The former Miami Marlins star has been one of the best infielders in baseball since then, and he's become maybe the most important non-Aaron Judge offensive player for the Yankees. Apparently, the Yankees are now listening to trade offers for him. That would be a big mistake.
Yankees cannot afford to trade Jazz Chisholm Jr.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, second basemen could be a hot commodity in the next few days. "A second baseman is going to move. Maybe multiple. There is too much interest in Ketel Marte, Brendan Donovan and Brandon Lowe for a deal not to be consummated. It's not just them, either. Jake Cronenworth is available. The Yankees have listened on Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Mets' overhaul could include moving Jeff McNeil," he wrote.
It cannot be stressed enough how much of a mistake this would be. There are barely any second basemen better than Chisholm at this point. So, unless they're somehow going to move Chisholm and bring in Ketel Marte, it would not be remotely worth it. And Marte, as versatile as he is, can't move around the diamond quite like Chisholm, and he's older and has less speed than Chisholm.
By fWAR, the second baseman was the 28th-best player in baseball last season regardless of position. He hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases. Since the July 27, 2024, trade, here's where he ranks among second basemen in key statistics:
- First in fWAR (tied with Marte)
- First in home runs (tied with Marte)
- Seventh in runs scored
- Second in RBI
- Second in stolen bases
- Sixth in walk percentage
- Second in isolated power
- 10th in on-base percentage
- Second in slugging percentage
- Second in wOBA
- Second in wRC+
- Third in BsR (baserunning metric)
- Second in offensive rating
- Fifth in defensive rating
In many cases, Marte does rank ahead of Chisholm, so moving him for Marte would be the only thing that remotely makes sense. However, Marte is five years older than Chisholm, so the Yankees would get a slightly better player who's likely to decline soon for a younger player who is still very much in his prime. Plus, the Yankees know Chisholm can handle the New York fans and media. Marte is a question mark.
He's also the personality of the Yankees. They've long been stoic and self-serious, but Chisholm brought some life and energy to the clubhouse. He's a fun player who exhibits joy on the baseball field, something this team has been sorely lacking. So at this point, it feels like a huge risk moving on from Chisholm. What the Yankees should be doing is looking at a lengthy extension.
Chisholm has one more year of arbitration before hitting free agency in 2027, so the Yankees ought to extend him as soon as possible. They reportedly remain "lukewarm" on an immediate extension, but that would be a mistake. He doesn't need a lifetime contract, but a long-term deal makes sense for everyone involved. Since he is 27, the Yankees could get him for six years at $25 million AAV, which is in line with the top second base contracts in baseball.
That would reward Chisholm as one of the best players at his position across the sport and ensure the Yankees have their key infielder for a long time. Plus, with Aaron Judge aging and a lack of other superstars on the roster, it behooves New York to make sure it doesn't have to keep cycling out key players year after year. They need some non-Judge consistency on the offense, and Chisholm can provide that.
