NEW YORK — The New York Yankees may be heading toward another all-too-familiar dilemma. This time, the focus is on Jazz Chisholm Jr., whose situation looks eerily similar to how the team once handled Gleyber Torres. Torres left the Bronx for Detroit after years of uncertainty and stalled talks.
Now, with Chisholm entering his final year of team control, the Yankees seem hesitant to offer the commitment that his performance may deserve.
Yankees hit pause on extension talks
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The Yankees have reportedly paused contract extension discussions with Chisholm this offseason, even though the 27-year-old infielder has openly said he wants to remain in New York. Greg Joyce of the New York Post reported that a deal before the 2026 season is unlikely. That approach mirrors the Yankees’ slow handling of Torres, who left after never receiving a serious long-term offer.
“Nothing substantial,” Chisholm told the Daily News during the 2025 season when asked about contract talks. “If they come close to the number, yeah, for sure. I’m really more focused on playing right now, and I feel like that’s why we haven’t really talked about it.”
The Yankees’ patience comes at a price. Chisholm became just the third player in Yankees history to post a 30-home run and 30-stolen base season, joining Alfonso Soriano and Bobby Bonds. His 6.7 fWAR in only 170 games with the Yankees nearly equals what he achieved in five seasons with the Miami Marlins. Still, New York’s front office seems content to wait, just as it did with Torres.
Trade rumors surface amid Tampa Bay connections
Speculation about Chisholm’s future grew louder when The Athletic’s Anthony McCarron suggested that the Yankees might explore a trade. He mentioned the possibility of dealing Chisholm as part of an infield reshaping, especially since Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe has surfaced as a trade target.
“The Yankees could seek to sign him to an extension or move him as part of an infield restructuring if they don’t envision him as a long-term Yankee,” McCarron wrote. “The problem with trading him is this: Chisholm provides up-the-middle athleticism, speed and power.”
Brandon Lowe, who hit 31 home runs in 2025, offers a left-handed swing that would fit Yankee Stadium perfectly. The Rays exercised his $10.5 million option for 2025, keeping him under team control at a reasonable rate. Jim Bowden of The Athletic ranked Lowe among the top ten players most likely to be traded this offseason.
“The 31-year-old will be a free agent after next season, and if they’re ever going to trade him, the time is now,” Bowden wrote.
That possibility makes Chisholm’s situation even more uncertain. The Yankees could explore such a move if they decide not to invest long-term in their current star.
Financial chess game shapes Yankees’ strategy
For the Yankees, the decision on Chisholm is also about dollars and years. Market estimates suggest the 27-year-old could command a contract worth between $140 million and $170 million over seven years, with some projections pushing that closer to $200 million if his numbers hold. Marcus Semien’s seven-year, $175 million deal with Texas sets the market comparison, but Chisholm’s younger age could make him even more valuable.
Lowe, meanwhile, offers cost control. He remains under contract through 2026 at $11.5 million via a club option. The Yankees are weighing that financial flexibility against Chisholm’s long-term price tag. Lowe is also four years older, which gives New York something to consider when projecting future production.
Tampa Bay’s financial issues, including Tropicana Field repair costs and unstable local TV revenue, may force the Rays to listen to offers. That dynamic could make Lowe available in trade discussions with the Yankees.
In 2025, Chisholm earned $5.85 million after avoiding arbitration. His final arbitration year in 2026 is expected to be around $10.2 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors. That makes him an affordable short-term asset for the Yankees but still leaves him seeking the job security a long-term deal would provide.
Chisholm’s impact demands consideration
Since joining the Yankees at the 2024 trade deadline, Chisholm has added energy and athleticism to the team. His defensive versatility allows manager Aaron Boone to play him at both second and third base. He ranked in the 87th percentile defensively at second with a +2 Fielding Run Value, according to Statcast.
JAZZ CHISOLM JR GIVES THE YANKEES THE LEAD WITH THE SOLO SHOT
Offensively, Chisholm continues to produce. Despite missing a month in 2025 with an oblique strain, he played 134 games and hit .251 with an .820 OPS. His ability to hit for power and steal bases gives the Yankees an edge they lacked in previous seasons.
“The impact I’ve had in New York so far, I definitely want to stay in New York,” Chisholm said in September.
His mix of speed, defense, and charisma has quickly made him a fan favorite. Still, the Yankees’ decision to delay talks leaves his future hanging in uncertainty.
History repeats with infield uncertainty
The Yankees’ history with Gleyber Torres serves as a warning. The team allowed Torres to reach free agency without serious extension efforts, only to see him sign with the Detroit Tigers. His departure created a hole the Yankees are still trying to fill.
McCarron pointed out that the Yankees could again make the same mistake if they delay with Chisholm. If the team decides an extension is not realistic, they may consider trading him before spring training. But finding another player who matches Chisholm’s energy and rare skill set would be a challenge.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan has noted that the Yankees could potentially keep both Chisholm and Lowe if one played second base and the other moved to third. That setup would give the Yankees two powerful middle infielders, but it would come with a heavy financial cost.
The Yankees missed the ALCS again in 2025, and how they handle Chisholm could reveal whether the front office has learned from its past. If they take the same cautious route they took with Torres, they may risk losing another star at his peak. For now, Chisholm enters 2026 without the long-term deal he wants, leaving both sides to navigate a tense and familiar situation in the Bronx.
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