As the 2026 offseason heats up, the New York Yankees are facing a pivotal decision - and it centers around one of the most electric players in the game: Jazz Chisholm Jr. After a career-best season, the dynamic infielder is drawing serious trade interest across the league. And if there’s one team built to make a compelling offer, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies.
Let’s start with Chisholm. The 27-year-old delivered a breakout campaign in 2025, slashing .242/.332/.481 with 31 home runs, 75 runs scored, 80 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases - good for a tie for sixth in the American League.
That’s not just a solid year; that’s a player putting it all together. He brought legitimate power, disruptive speed on the basepaths, and held his own defensively.
With one year left before hitting free agency and an arbitration number projected at $11.7 million, the Yankees are reportedly open to fielding offers as they retool their roster.
Enter the Phillies - a club that’s been in win-now mode for several seasons and has the farm system to back it up. They’ve already invested heavily in their core, but with potential changes coming to their infield, there’s a window here to add a versatile, high-upside player like Chisholm without compromising their championship aspirations. His ability to play multiple positions, hit for power, and swipe bags gives manager Rob Thomson a valuable chess piece in a lineup that’s already built to contend.
So what would it take to get a deal done? The framework starts with two names: Bryson Stott and Justin Crawford.
Stott, at 27, brings immediate big-league value. He’s a proven second baseman who, despite a down year in 2024 (.671 OPS), still brings speed, defense, and experience.
He’s averaged over 32 stolen bases annually and remains under team control through his pre-arbitration years - a major plus for a Yankees club trying to balance payroll flexibility with on-field production. He’s not Jazz, but he’s a solid everyday player who can slot right into the Yankees’ infield and help fill a key need.
Then there’s Crawford - the real gem of the deal. The 21-year-old outfielder, ranked third in the Phillies’ system, put up a .325/.390/.421 slash line in Triple-A Lehigh Valley this past season.
The 2022 first-round pick has shown advanced plate discipline, elite speed, and the kind of athleticism that front offices covet. He’s the type of prospect who could anchor a rebuild or, in the Yankees’ case, help bridge the gap between their current core and the next generation of stars.
For the Phillies, giving up a talent like Crawford isn’t easy. But that’s the price of doing business when you’re chasing a title.
Chisholm isn’t just a flashy name - he’s a two-time All-Star with the tools to make a real impact in October. He fits the Phillies’ timeline, their style of play, and their need for a spark in the infield.
This kind of deal checks boxes on both sides. The Yankees get a big-league contributor in Stott and a potential cornerstone in Crawford - all while clearing salary space to pursue pitching or other roster upgrades. The Phillies, on the other hand, add a proven difference-maker to a team built to win now.
In a winter full of speculation, this trade framework stands out as one that makes real baseball sense. It’s the kind of move that could reshape both franchises - and possibly set the tone for the rest of the offseason.