Jazz Chisholm Jr. is drawing interest around the league-and the Yankees are listening.
That’s not to say the Bronx Bombers are actively shopping their 31-homer, 31-steal second baseman. But when a player puts together the kind of season Chisholm just did-power, speed, defense, and a team-friendly contract-teams are going to call. And according to reports from both Bryan Hoch and Jeff Passan, the Yankees aren’t hanging up the phone.
Let’s break it down: Chisholm just wrapped up the most complete season of his career. He posted a .242/.332/.481 slash line, good for a 126 wRC+-meaning he was 26% better than league average at the plate.
That’s legit production, especially from a middle infielder. Yes, the strikeouts (27.9%) are still a bit high, but that’s always been part of his game.
The flip side? He posted a career-best walk rate at 10.9%, showing improved plate discipline to go along with his trademark explosiveness.
Defensively, Chisholm was no slouch either. He moved around early in the year, logging time at both second and third base, but settled in as the everyday second baseman after the Yankees brought in Ryan McMahon to handle third.
The numbers back up the eye test-two Defensive Runs Saved and eight Outs Above Average at second base. That’s solid, above-average defense at a premium position.
All told, FanGraphs pegged Chisholm at 4.4 WAR. That’s an All-Star level season, and it’s coming at a bargain price.
He’s under team control for one more year, with a projected salary of $10.2 million-less than half of this year’s qualifying offer. In today’s market, that’s tremendous value.
So why would the Yankees even entertain the idea of moving him?
It comes down to roster balance, long-term planning, and, yes, payroll. General manager Brian Cashman has said the Yankees are “open-minded” about trade discussions, especially as they look to upgrade their pitching staff.
And while Chisholm is a dynamic player, he’s also part of a lineup that leans heavily to the left side. With lefty bats like McMahon, Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, Austin Wells, and even bench guys like J.C.
Escarra and Jorbit Vivas, the Yankees are looking to inject more right-handed balance beyond Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Moving Chisholm could help accomplish that, either directly-by trading him for a right-handed bat or pitcher-or indirectly, by freeing up payroll and roster space to pursue other options.
But it’s not without risk. Trading Chisholm would leave a hole in the middle infield, especially with shortstop Anthony Volpe recovering from shoulder surgery and expected to miss the start of the 2026 season. José Caballero is likely to step in at short early on, and while the Yankees did sign Amed Rosario, he’s more of a platoon piece-strong against lefties but not an everyday answer.
Then there’s the youth movement. Prospect George Lombard Jr. is viewed as the shortstop of the future, but he’s just 20 and hasn’t reached Triple-A yet.
Cabrera and Vivas are versatile bench options, but not likely long-term starters. So unless the Yankees plan to fast-track Lombard or make another move, Chisholm serves as a crucial bridge in 2026.
There’s also the contract situation. Chisholm has reportedly shown interest in a long-term extension, but the Yankees haven’t been eager to engage.
That’s not necessarily a knock on Chisholm-it’s just not something the Yankees do often. In fact, they’ve only handed out three extensions in the past decade, and none in the last six years.
Then there’s the financial side. Hal Steinbrenner has expressed interest in keeping the payroll under $300 million.
Right now, the Yankees are projected for a $261 million payroll, with a luxury tax figure around $285 million. Trading Chisholm wouldn’t save a massive amount, but it could give them more flexibility to address needs-particularly in the rotation or outfield-without diving deeper into free agency.
Of course, there’s always the possibility of a two-step move: trade Chisholm for pitching, then turn around and sign a replacement middle infielder. Names like Bo Bichette and Ha-Seong Kim are still on the market. That would push the payroll higher, but it’s a path the Yankees could theoretically take if they find the right deal.
The second base trade market is active but murky. There’s buzz around players like Ketel Marte, Brendan Donovan, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Lowe, and Jake Cronenworth.
None are guaranteed to move, but their availability could impact what teams are willing to offer for Chisholm. Still, it’s clear that teams like the Giants, Mariners, Pirates, Guardians, and Astros are kicking the tires on second base upgrades.
Bottom line: Chisholm is a valuable piece-both on the field and on the books. The Yankees aren’t in a rush to move him, but they’re listening. And in a winter where pitching is a priority and balance is needed, everything is on the table.