Potential Trade: Yankees Trade Marlins Star to NY
The New York Yankees, who started the season with an impressive 49-21 record, leading the league as of June 12, have hit a slump, going 7-18 since then. Both Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu have faced difficulties, prompting the Yankees to consider upgrading their infield before the trade deadline. One potential target is Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post on July 11, “The Yankees have discussed Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Marlins’ talented outfielder-turned-infielder. 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 season and has only played over 100 games once in his career, back in 2021.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s Trade Interest
“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 slashing .255/.324/.419 this season, with his on-base percentage and batting average close to his performance during his All-Star season in 2022.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. goes yard! pic.twitter.com/2kUTnPhj2P
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 12, 2024
Chisholm is expected to be a popular name at the trade deadline, with a “growing belief” that he will be traded, according to Mish. His versatility as a player who can handle both the outfield and infield makes him particularly valuable.
Originally, Chisholm played primarily as a shortstop in the minor leagues and regularly played second base during his first three MLB seasons. In 2023, he began playing in the outfield.
The Marlins have already signaled their intentions for the trade deadline. Despite the deadline still being some time away, they traded two-time All-Star and batting champion Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres. Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix explained the team’s strategy, stating:
“It’s part of the value of the player 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 said, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. “Trading that for future value seems like the right thing for this organization right now.”
Yankees Need an Upgrade at Second Base
Two-time All-Star Gleyber Torres has struggled this season, posting a .224 batting average and a .641 OPS. His performance has been subpar, leading to his benching 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 said. “I just felt like this is a good time to get a little reset. Hopefully, it’s something that serves him well and propels him.”
Since then, Torres has improved, hitting .303, but with free agency looming after this season, the Yankees might look to Jazz Chisholm as a long-term option alongside Anthony Volpe. Chisholm, who is arbitration-eligible for two more seasons, offers not only infield versatility but also speed, an area where the Yankees have been lacking. He has 18 stolen bases this season, compared to Torres’ four, and the Yankees rank 29th in MLB in stolen bases.