The New York Yankees have hit a difficult stretch after starting the season strong. After opening the season 49-21, the Yankees held the best record in baseball on June 12. However, they have been 7-18 since. Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu have struggled, and the Yankees could explore for infield additions at the trade deadline. Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins may be a possibility.
“The Yankees have talked about Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Marlins’ excellent outfielder-turned-infielder. On July 11, Jon Heyman of the New York Post said, “The extent of the interest is unknown, but Chisholm likely would play mostly infield, a Yankees’ need.”
Chisholm, 26, has appeared in 90 of the Marlins’ 93 games this year. Only once in his career has he played more than 100 games: in 2021.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Trade Interests
“Chisholm has put together his healthiest season to date, producing at the top of the lineup, and teams are taking notice,” wrote Craig Mish of the Miami Herald on July 8. “Believe it or not this is the first time there has been genuine interest in Chisholm as injuries, and his personality have kept other clubs wondering what they would be getting in return.”
Chisholm is hitting.255/.324/.419 this season. His on-base percentage and batting average are on track for All-Star status in 2022.
Chisholm will be a hot name at the deadline, with a “growing belief” that he will be traded, according to Mish. His versatility makes him an important player in both the outfield and the infield.
Chisholm primarily played shortstop in the minor levels. Throughout his first three seasons in the major leagues, he was a regular second baseman. on 2023, he started playing on the outfield.
The Marlins have already stated their intentions regarding the trade deadline. With the deadline still a ways off, the Marlins moved two-time All-Star and batting champion Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres.
When asked about dealing an established player for players with promise, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix explained the club’s thinking.
“It’s part of the player’s value for the rest of the season when, unfortunately, our record is what it is and the fact is that we’re unlikely to make the playoffs this year,” Bendix told Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. “Trading that for future value seems like the right thing for this organization right now.”
The Yankees require an upgrade at second base.
Two-time Gleyber Torres, an All-Star, has a.224 batting average and.641 OPS this season. Torres’ output has been below-average, so he was benched on June 26 and 27. Manager Aaron Boone described it as a “reset.”
“I actually went to bed last night with him in the lineup, slept on it and kind of toiled over it a little bit this morning,” Boone told me. “I just felt like now is a good time for a little reset. Hopefully, it will be beneficial and spur him forward.
Torres has a.303 hitting average since, but the 27-year-old will become a free agent following the season. Chisholm is arbitration eligible for two more seasons. If Torres goes in free agency, Chisholm might join Anthony Volpe on the Yankees’ roster in the future.
Chisholm also adds a sprinting element that the Yankees have been missing. He’s stolen 18 bases this season. Torres has only four. The Yankees are 29th in MLB for stolen bases.
