The New York Yankees have reached the All-Star break in playoff contention but trail the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. To boost their offense by the July 30 trade deadline, could Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins be a viable option?
During a Bleacher Report live stream on July 15, Robbie Hyde suggested this potential trade:
– **Yankees receive:** center fielder/second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.
– **Marlins receive:** outfielder Everson Pereira, shortstop George Lombard Jr., and left-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge.
According to MLB.com, Pereira (ranked fifth), Lombard Jr. (sixth), and Selvidge (10th) are all top-10 prospects in the Yankees’ system. Pereira could immediately contribute at the major league level, while Lombard Jr. (Single-A) and Selvidge (Double-A) are more long-term prospects.
Chisholm, earning $2.625 million in 2024, is under team control through 2026, per Spotrac.
**Yankees Considering Chisholm Trade**
The Marlins, with a 33-63 record at the All-Star break, are expected to be sellers before the trade deadline. They already traded Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres in early May.
On July 8, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reported that there’s a “growing belief” Chisholm will soon be traded. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed the Yankees as a potential suitor, stating, “The Yankees have discussed Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Marlins’ talented outfielder-turned-infielder.” Chisholm would likely play infield for the Yankees, filling a critical need.
Chisholm is batting .249/.321/.407 in 393 plate appearances this season, with 12 home runs, 12 doubles, 42 RBIs, 41 runs scored, and 18 steals. Since his first full big-league season in 2021, he has been a consistent base-stealing threat, narrowly missing 20-20 seasons in 2021 and 2023.
Though primarily a center fielder, Chisholm has started playing second base again. He could replace Gleyber Torres, who has underperformed in 2024.
**Chisholm’s Potential Impact on the Yankees’ Juan Soto Pursuit**
Chisholm’s versatility makes him a valuable asset for any contender. For the Yankees, acquiring him could also aid their pursuit of outfielder Juan Soto this winter.
Torres will become a free agent at the end of the season. Adding Chisholm would provide the Yankees with a multi-year option at second base without significant financial strain. This is appealing to owner Hal Steinbrenner, who has stated that the team’s $300-plus million payroll is unsustainable.
The Yankees are expected to aggressively pursue re-signing Soto, with potential bids exceeding $500 million. To accommodate Soto financially, the Yankees will need to economize in other areas. Chisholm’s relatively low cost would support these efforts.