Trading Jazz Chisholm Jr.? The Yankees Can’t Afford That Kind of Mistake
It’s January, which means the MLB rumor mill is spinning at full speed, and the latest buzz has the Yankees possibly dangling Jazz Chisholm Jr. in trade talks. Let’s be clear: if that’s even remotely true, it’s not just a questionable idea - it’s a move that could undercut the very foundation of what this team is trying to build for 2026.
Chisholm isn’t just another name on the roster. He’s a rare blend of power, speed, and defensive excellence - the kind of middle infielder teams spend years trying to develop or acquire. Trading him now, especially without a clear and equal replacement, would be a self-inflicted wound for a team that’s supposed to be chasing a title, not rebuilding a position of strength.
You Don’t Trade a 30/30 Second Baseman Without a Plan
Let’s put this into perspective. In 2025, Chisholm went 30/30 - 30 home runs, 30 stolen bases - while playing Gold Glove-level defense at second base.
That’s not just good. That’s elite.
That’s the kind of season that puts you in MVP conversations and gives your lineup a nightly edge.
There aren’t many players in baseball who can impact a game in as many ways as Chisholm can. He can launch a ball 420 feet, steal second on a pitcher’s first move, and make a diving stop that flips momentum in the late innings.
You don’t just replace that. You don’t have a guy stashed in Triple-A Scranton ready to replicate that kind of production.
And unless Brian Cashman has a time machine or a secret All-Star hiding in the minors, moving Chisholm creates a hole the Yankees aren’t equipped to patch.
Brendan Donovan? Interesting, But Risky
One scenario that’s been floated is a trade that could bring in Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals. Donovan’s a solid player - high on-base percentage, defensive versatility, gritty approach.
He fits the mold of a classic Yankee grinder. But let’s not kid ourselves: he’s not Jazz Chisholm.
Banking on a multi-team or long-shot trade to fall into place - especially one that hinges on another team’s willingness to deal a controllable, productive player like Donovan - is a dangerous game. If that deal doesn’t materialize and you’ve already put Chisholm on the block, you’re not just left without a second baseman. You’re left with a star who knows he was shopped, a clubhouse that’s questioning the front office’s direction, and a fan base wondering how a team with championship aspirations got worse on purpose.
More Than Stats: Chisholm’s Energy Is Irreplaceable
There’s another layer to this conversation that can’t be ignored. Beyond the numbers, Chisholm brings something this Yankees team sorely needs: swagger.
Energy. Personality.
He plays with a fire that ignites a clubhouse and wakes up a dugout. In a team that can sometimes feel like it’s run by accountants - buttoned-up and businesslike - Chisholm is the spark plug.
That kind of presence matters. Over 162 games, when the grind sets in and the schedule gets heavy, having a guy who plays with joy, emotion, and edge can be the difference between a team that sleepwalks through July and one that finds another gear.
One Year of Control? That’s a Feature, Not a Bug
Yes, Chisholm is entering the final year of team control. That’s a legitimate consideration.
But the Yankees aren’t trying to win in 2028. They’re trying to win now.
And if you’re serious about making a run at a title, you don’t trade away one of your most electric players just to get ahead of a contract expiration.
Let him play out the year. Let him chase another 30/30 season.
Let him be the heartbeat of the infield and a force at the top of the lineup. If he walks in free agency, so be it - you got a full season of elite production in a championship window.
That’s a trade-off any contender should be willing to make.
Bottom Line
Trading Jazz Chisholm Jr. would be a step backward for a Yankees team that should be sprinting forward. Unless there’s a clear, can’t-miss replacement ready to step in - and let’s be honest, there isn’t - moving him does more harm than good.
You don’t subtract elite talent in hopes of maybe solving another problem. You build around it.
Chisholm is the kind of player who can carry a team through a playoff push. The Yankees would be wise to keep him right where he is - in pinstripes, at second base, and in the middle of everything they’re trying to accomplish in 2026.