In a dramatic mid-season move, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was traded from the Miami Marlins to the New York Yankees on Saturday. Chisholm immediately injected energy and talent into his new team, flying from Milwaukee to Boston to join the Yankees for their highly-anticipated Sunday night showdown against the Boston Red Sox.
Chisholm wasted no time making an impact, recording his first hit and stolen base in a Yankees uniform during that game. The Yankees, in the midst of a critical stretch, then traveled to Philadelphia for a series against the Phillies. It was in Philadelphia where Chisholm showcased his power at the plate, hitting his first home run for the Yankees on Monday against none other than Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
Not content to stop there, Chisholm hit his second home run later in the same game, this time off position player pitcher Garrett Stubbs. These two blasts were notable as they marked Chisholm's 14th and 15th home runs of the season, providing a glimpse of the offensive prowess he brings to the Yankees lineup.
Before the trade, Chisholm was batting .249 with a .323 on-base percentage and a .407 slugging percentage across 101 games with the Marlins. He also swiped an impressive 22 bases, highlighting his versatility and speed on the base paths.
New Position, Same Versatility
Chisholm demonstrated his adaptability by making his first career start at third base on Monday. Despite being more familiar with second base and center field, he held his own at the hot corner, even starting a crucial 5-4-3 double play. When asked about his flexibility on the field, Chisholm emphasized his team-first mentality:
"I mean, I went out there and played center field for the first time last year and I felt like it was pretty difficult at first. But I just feel like I could go and play anywhere and help my team win. For me, it's just going somewhere -- especially a winning team -- and they're asking me to go somewhere to help them win? I'm definitely gonna go out there and do it," Chisholm said.
The Yankees are in a competitive spot, holding a solid 63-45 record and standing second in the AL East. Adding Chisholm's talent to their roster is expected to bolster their push for the postseason. Given that their regular second baseman Gleyber Torres and center fielder Aaron Judge are already established, Chisholm's willingness to play third base is instrumental. The Yankees’ current third basemen, DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera, have primarily struggled, combining for a batting line of .231/.292/.318.
Looking Forward
As the MLB trade deadline looms at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Yankees' acquisition of Chisholm signals their intent to strengthen their lineup and improve their defensive prowess. His ability to slot into different positions while maintaining a high level of performance is an asset that few teams possess.
This move not only underscores the Yankees' current ambitions but also highlights Chisholm’s growth and readiness to take on new challenges for the sake of his team. Yankees fans have every reason to be excited about what Chisholm can bring to the ballpark each day.