The New York Yankees are currently positioned for the postseason as they head into the All-Star break. However, they find themselves trailing the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East standings and are seeking to bolster their offense before the July 30 trade deadline. One potential target could be Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins.
During a live stream on Bleacher Report on July 15, Robbie Hyde discussed a proposed trade scenario:
Yankees would acquire: Jazz Chisholm Jr., who plays center field and second base.
Marlins would receive: outfielder Everson Pereira, shortstop George Lombard Jr., and left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge.
According to MLB.com, Pereira (ranked fifth), Lombard Jr. (ranked sixth), and Selvidge (ranked tenth) are all among the top-10 prospects in the Yankees’ system. Pereira could potentially contribute immediately at the major league level, while Lombard Jr. (currently at Single-A) and Selvidge (currently at Double-A) represent longer-term prospects.
Chisholm is earning $2.625 million in 2024 and is under team control through 2026, as reported by Spotrac.
The Yankees Have Discussed Trading for Chisholm
The Miami Marlins are clearly positioned as sellers leading up to the trade deadline, sporting a 33-63 record at the All-Star break and having already traded Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres earlier in the season.
According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald on July 8, there is a growing belief that Jazz Chisholm Jr. could soon be departing Miami. The New York Yankees have emerged as one potential destination, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
“The Yankees have discussed Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Marlins’ versatile outfielder-turned-infielder,” Heyman stated. “The level of interest isn’t fully known, but Chisholm would likely fill an infield role, which is a need for the Yankees.”
Chisholm’s performance in the 2024 season includes a batting line of .249/.321/.407 over 393 plate appearances. He has contributed 12 home runs, 12 doubles, 42 RBI, 41 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases. Since his first full season in 2021, Chisholm has consistently posed a threat on the bases, narrowly missing out on a 20-20 season in both 2021 (18 home runs and 23 steals) and 2023 (19 home runs and 22 steals).
While Jazz Chisholm Jr. has primarily played center field defensively, he has recently returned to playing second base as well. The Yankees are considering deploying him at second base in New York, potentially replacing Gleyber Torres, who has not met expectations in the 2024 season.
How Chisholm Could Help New York in Its Juan Soto Pursuit
Acquiring a versatile player like Jazz Chisholm Jr. could benefit multiple contending teams, including the Yankees. In New York’s case, bringing Chisholm on board could serve as a strategic move leading into their pursuit of outfielder Juan Soto during the upcoming winter.
Gleyber Torres is slated to hit free agency after this season. By adding Chisholm, the Yankees could secure a multi-year solution at second base without making a hefty financial commitment. This approach aligns with owner Hal Steinbrenner’s stance that maintaining a payroll exceeding $300 million is unsustainable.
Despite financial constraints, the Yankees are anticipated to aggressively pursue the re-signing of Juan Soto. The bidding for Soto’s services is expected to be fierce, potentially surpassing the $500 million mark given his talent and market demand. To accommodate such a significant expenditure, New York may need to economize in other areas of their roster. Chisholm’s acquisition would contribute to this strategy by providing quality production at a reasonable cost, thereby supporting the Yankees’ pursuit of Soto without overextending their payroll.
