Why a Jazz Chisholm Trade Makes Sense For Yankees

The New York Yankees are currently in the middle of one of the worst stretches for the team this season and in recent memory. The Yankees are 5-15 over their last 20 games the worst record in baseball over that time frame falling to three games back of the Orioles while the division rival Red Sox have won 15 of their last 20 which is the best in baseball.

The Yankees' issues have come from offensive struggles as the team is only winning games by way of Aaron Judge or massive performances like Ben Rice hitting three home runs in one game.

The biggest issue right now is that the Yankees have too much dead weight in the lineup offensively. Offseason acquisitions Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham have struggled at the plate as Verdugo is hitting just .244 with ten home runs while Grisham is batting just .168 on the year. Since returning from injury DJ LeMahieu has struggled immensely and boasts a batting average of .194 with only three extra-base hits.

The Yankees only have three qualified batters with averages above .250 in Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Anthony Volpe, while the rest of the team is far behind. If the Yankees have any hopes of competing for a World Series this year, these holes will need to be addressed at the trade deadline.

One player who makes a ton of sense for the New York Yankees this trade deadline is Marlins Outfielder Jazz Chisholm. According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, there is growing belief that the Marlins will move on from Jazz Chisholm this deadline.

If the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm, he'd be under team control through 2026 before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027. The Yankees are expected to have a ton of departures this offseason as Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, Alex Verdugo, and Clay Holmes among others will all hit the open market while Hal Steinbrenner has indicated he wants to lower payroll. The expected turnover makes acquiring a player like Chisholm long-term more attractive for the Yankees.

In a limited sample size, Chisholm has had success in the Bronx hitting .333 with a home run and 3 RBIS in 15 at-bats in Yankee Stadium.

If the Yankees added Chisholm they'd either move on from Alex Verdugo so Chisholm can play in the outfield or they'd allow him to play either shortstop or second base where he's played in his career. From 2020 through 2022, Chisholm played second base where he did have some defensive woes but he was also an All-Star.

The Yankees shouldn't mind some of the defensive woes as Gleyber Torres already struggles with errors in the position. The biggest difference between Torres and Chisholm is their performances at the plate where Torres is batting .223 with 8 home runs while Chisholm is hitting .255 with 10 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

Adding a player like Chisholm gives the Yankees another speed threat alongside Anthony Volpe as Volpe is the only Yankee with more than five steals with 15 stolen bases.

While Giancarlo Stanton recovers from injury and even upon his return, the Yankees could use another batter that can drive in runs. Landing Jazz Chisholm would allow the team to take either Gleyber Torres or DJ LeMahieu out of the lineup, giving the Yankees additional protection for Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

Whether it's fair to say or not, this season is simply World Series or bust for the New York Yankees after they went all in this offseason. The team isn't guaranteed another season with Juan Soto. While you have Soto and Judge in their prime, the team can't afford to take half-measures.

If the Yankees don't make multiple moves this trade deadline, the team is likely heading to another disappointing postseason exit.

More New York Yankees News: