CHICAGO — Jazz Chisholm Jr. stunned fans Thursday night with a sharp reversal on Juan Soto, leaving the Yankees clubhouse buzzing. The same player who once campaigned for a $700 million deal for Soto last October now insists New York is better off without him.
After the Yankees’ 10-4 win over the Chicago White Sox, Chisholm paused briefly, looked down, and then shook his head before answering with a single word.
Asked if the Yankees miss Soto, he replied quietly: “Nope.”
That curt answer marked a complete turnaround from his October outburst. With champagne flying in celebration, Chisholm had shouted during a YES Network interview, “Pay my guy! Pay Juan Soto! $700 million!”
Yankees offense thrives without Soto
The production numbers back up Chisholm’s new outlook. Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham have filled the void in ways many doubted possible. Together, their performance has surpassed Soto’s debut season with the Mets.
Bellinger leads the way with a .281 average, 26 home runs and 81 RBIs, pairing those with a .843 OPS. Grisham has chipped in 28 homers, a .248 average, and an .836 OPS. Their combined presence has given New York a balance of power and consistency.
Soto’s first Mets season has been strong in some categories but leaves questions. He owns 33 homers and 81 RBIs, but his .241 average fails to mirror Grisham’s. His overall impact has been debated as the Mets struggle for traction.
Advanced stats tilt slightly in New York’s favor. Bellinger holds 3.3 fWAR compared to Soto’s 3.0. Analysts point to that as a sign the Yankees gained more from Bellinger’s performance than the Mets have from their $765 million man.
Defense makes the difference
The sharpest contrast lies in defense. Bellinger, a 2019 Gold Glove winner, has been superb across the outfield and even at first base. He has started 45 games in left, 39 in right, 33 in center and three at first, making him one of the most versatile defenders in the league.
Grisham brings his own hardware to the table. The center fielder captured Gold Gloves in 2020 and 2022, and his play this season has put him in contention for a third.
Soto’s defense, by contrast, has been a liability. He ranks 35th of 36 qualifying right fielders in Baseball Savant’s Outs Above Average, with a minus-10 mark that reflects continued struggles in the field.
Grisham’s remarkable transformation
The rise of Trent Grisham has been the most unexpected part of this story. When the Padres sent him to New York as part of the Soto trade, he was considered a throw-in. His 2024 campaign was limited to the role of a fourth outfielder. In 2025, he has transformed into a lineup staple.
Earlier in the season, Grisham posted gaudy numbers, hitting .292/.370/.639 with an OPS of 1.009 and eight home runs in 81 plate appearances. While his numbers have since regressed to a .248 average, the consistency of his defense and timely power have made him indispensable.
Manager Aaron Boone had nothing but praise.
“It’s been a phenomenal year for Grish,” Boone said. “He’s been almost as indispensable as anyone for us with what he provides in the middle of the diamond defensively, the level of at-bat he’s giving us at the top of the order and the power he’s hit for.”
Jazz Chisholm embraces the change
Chisholm’s comments reflect the new identity of the Yankees. Asked about losing Soto, he pointed to the outfielders now carrying the load.
“We’ve got Grish and Belly instead,” he said. “Grish has 27 homers, Belly has 26 and we’re getting great defense from the both of them. We’ve got two great outfielders instead of Soto. I’ll take that all day!”
Chisholm highlighted Grisham’s evolution in particular.
“We all know (Grisham) was a great player, even the way that he always came off the bench last year and did what he had to do,” he said. “This year he’s starting every day and he’s showing why he should be out there every day. Great center fielder, great leadoff hitter. What else can you ask for?”
Statistical comparison favors Yankees
The numbers tell the story. By most key categories, Bellinger and Grisham provide a combined edge through August 30.
- Batting average: Bellinger leads at .281; Soto has .241and Grisham is better at .248; Chisholm is at .240.
- Home runs: Soto leads with 33; Grisham is next with 28; Bellinger has 26; Chisholm also has 26.
- RBIs: Bellinger and Soto tied at 81; Grisham adds 57; Chisholm has 66.
- OPS: Soto maintains the edge at .884; Bellinger is at .843; Grisham at .836; Chisholm sits slightly below at .830.
- WAR: Soto leads with 4.7; Bellinger is close behind with 4.4; Grisham stands at 3.1 (as previously noted); Chisholm is at 4.0, according to Fangraphs.
While Soto’s offensive ceiling remains higher, the balance of two reliable outfielders has made the Yankees more complete.
Yankees weigh future outfield options
Both Bellinger and Grisham will become free agents after the season. With Jasson Dominguez expected to reclaim a corner outfield role and former top pick Spencer Jones hitting for power in Triple-A, the Yankees could face tough choices this winter.
For now, the team is focused on the present. Chisholm’s U-turn on Soto shows how firmly the Yankees have embraced their current roster. What once looked like a devastating loss has turned into a strength. The ultimate judgment will arrive in October, when postseason heroics define legacies. Soto was instrumental in carrying the Yankees to the World Series last year.
But based on 2025 regular-season numbers and the confidence Chisholm expressed, the Yankees stand by their decision to let him walk.
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