Despite the absence of the superstar right fielder Aaron judges For most of the season, the Yankees won 93 games and secured a playoff berth. They swept their rival Red Sox in the Wild Card round, but the Yankees then fell victim to a sweep against another AL East foe – the division champion Rays – in the ALDS. The Yankees are now turning their full attention to offseason issues, including whether or not they should retain the impending free agent second baseman. Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm, a second-time All-Star in 2025, had a rough year at the plate and struggled offensively and defensively in four postseason appearances. Manager Aaron Boone left Chisholm out of the Yankees’ starting lineup for two playoff games, including their season-ending loss on Wednesday. Fans at Yankee Stadium booed Chisholm after he fouled first base as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning. Nevertheless, Chisholm prefers to continue his career with the Yankees rather than going out in free agency.
“I hope to come back” Chisholm said (via Brendan Kuty of The Athletic).
Whether or not he gets his wish, Chisholm might not sign for as much money as he hoped at the start of the season. After Chisholm hit 30 homers and stole 31 bases in 2025, he had visions of a 50-50 campaign dancing in his head when he reported to spring training in February. The 50-50 club is made up of one player, Shohei Ohtaniwho accomplished this gigantic feat two years ago. Chisholm didn’t come close to joining him in 2026.
While Chisholm stole a career-high 41 bases, his home run total fell to 19 in 532 plate appearances. Chisholm’s overall line, which checked in at .242/.332/.481 last year, has slipped to .231/.312/.399. His production was 25% better than league average in 2025, per wRC+, but 2% below average this year. The southpaw Chisholm continued to struggle against pitchers on the same side, who limited him to an 82 wRC+ during his career. He was much better against righties, although his 107 wRC+ against them this season was still well below his lifetime mark (118).
Chisholm may have been fortunate to post the mediocre numbers he posted in 2026, as his expected weighted on-base average (.294) was 18 points lower than his actual wOBA (.312). He ranked in the 16th percentile in the league in xwOBA, and it was a similar story in terms of expected batting average (.216; seventh percentile) and expected slugging percentage (.366; 24th percentile). Chisholm was also among the bottom of the league in K percentage (29.5; ninth percentile), although strikeouts have been part of the package since his debut with the Marlins in 2020.
As for his work at the keystone, Chisholm made a few defensive mistakes in the ALDS after drawing mixed reviews during the season. He was credited with defensive runs saved of minus-6, which was the first time the former outfielder finished negatively in that metric as a second baseman. On the other hand, Outs Above Average (13) and Fielding Run Value (8) each liked Chisholm, who generally earned favorable marks in those categories. Among second basemen, only Cardinals NL Rookie of the Year candidate JJ Wetherholt surpassed Chisholm in OAA.
Regardless of his position, Chisholm, soon to be 29, will be one of the most established free agent hitters available if he hits the open market. Brandon Lowe (Pirates), Luis Arraez (Phillies) and former Yankee Gleyber Torres (Tigers) are also among the unsigned second basemen for 2027. Chisholm and Lowe are the only members of that quartet eligible to receive the $23.15 million qualifying offer. In the Yankees’ case, it’s “highly unlikely” that they would extend the offer to Chisholm, according to Kuty. The Yankees did it last offseason for the center fielder Trent Grishamwho had just completed a career year at the time, and it was considered a poor use of money. He accepted the $22.05 million offer and struggled through a mediocre, injury-shortened season.
Grisham seems certain to leave the Bronx in free agency this time around, and if Chisholm joins him, the Yankees will have to find someone else to replace him. Luis Garcia Jr.who could leave first base, as well as Anthony Volpe And Jose Caballero represent some internal possibilities.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images (via Reuters Connect)
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