Yankees Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. Reveals Bold MVP Ambition

With a new contract in hand and a breakout season behind him, Jazz Chisholm Jr. sets his sights on an MVP run alongside Yankees powerhouse Aaron Judge.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. isn’t just playing for a paycheck in 2026 - he’s playing for something bigger. The newly minted New York Yankee agreed to a one-year, $10.2 million deal to avoid arbitration, but it’s clear his eyes are set on a different prize: the American League MVP Award.

“I can make as much money as I want, but if I don’t have the MVP, I’m not going to be satisfied,” Chisholm told reporters on Wednesday. “That’s more important than [money].”

That’s a bold statement, but it fits the mold of a player who’s never lacked confidence - or talent. At 28, Chisholm is entering a pivotal season.

He’ll be a free agent after this year, and while the contract year narrative is always in play, Chisholm isn’t talking about cashing in. He’s talking about legacy.

And to claim that MVP hardware, he’ll have to do it in the shadow of a teammate who’s turned chasing MVPs into a habit.

Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ captain and face of the franchise, has taken home the AL MVP in back-to-back seasons - and three times overall, including his monster 2022 campaign. If Chisholm wants to add his name to that list, he’ll have to outshine Judge in the same clubhouse, wearing the same pinstripes, in front of the same fans.

That’s no small task. Judge’s 2025 season was historic - a .331 batting average, .457 on-base percentage, 53 home runs, 179 hits, and 114 RBIs. He led the league in average and OBP and reminded everyone why he’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball.

But Chisholm isn’t backing down. And based on his 2025 performance, he’s got reason to believe he can make some noise in the MVP race.

Last season was arguably the best of his career - 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases, joining the exclusive 30-30 club. He also posted career highs in RBIs (80) and matched that power-speed blend with solid production across the board: 112 hits, a .242 average, and a .332 OBP.

That kind of balanced impact is what makes Chisholm such a unique threat. He’s not just a slugger.

He’s not just a speedster. He’s the kind of player who can change a game in multiple ways - and in today’s game, that versatility matters more than ever.

Still, if Chisholm wants to wrestle the MVP away from Judge - or anyone else in the AL - he’ll need to take it up another notch. We’re talking about a career year, the kind Judge has made routine.

That means improving his contact rate, getting on base more consistently, and continuing to be a disruptive force on the basepaths. The power is already there.

The swagger is undeniable. Now it’s about putting it all together over 162 games.

There’s also the added pressure - and opportunity - of doing it in New York. Yankee Stadium has seen its share of MVP campaigns, and Chisholm knows the spotlight is hotter in the Bronx. But he also knows that if you shine here, the whole world sees it.

The first chance to make a statement comes March 25, when the Yankees open their season against the San Francisco Giants. It’ll be Chisholm’s first official game in pinstripes - and the first step on what he hopes is a march toward MVP glory.

He’s betting on himself. And if he delivers, he won’t just be looking at a big contract next winter - he might be looking at a piece of hardware with his name on it.