Despite being without superstar right fielder Aaron Judge for most of the season, the Yankees won 93 games and earned a playoff berth. They swept their archrival Red Sox in the wild card round, but the Yankees were then victims of a sweep against another American League East foe, the division champion Rays, in the ALDS. The Yankees are now turning their full attention to offseason issues, including the possibility of retaining impending free agent second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm, a second-time All-Star in 2025, endured a down year at the plate and struggled both offensively and defensively in four playoff appearances. Manager Aaron Boone left Chisholm out of the Yankees’ starting lineup for two postseason games, including Wednesday’s season-ending loss. Fans at Yankee Stadium booed Chisholm after he fouled out toward first base as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning. However, Chisholm would rather continue his career with the Yankees than leave in free agency. “I hope to come back,” Chisholm said (via Brendan Kuty of The Athletic). Regardless of whether he gets his wish, Chisholm may not sign for as much money as he expected coming into the season. After Chisholm hit 30 home runs 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 Ohtani, who accomplished that 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 dropped to 19 in 532 plate appearances. Chisholm’s overall line, which posted .242/.332/.481 last year, fell to .231/.312/.399. His production was 25% better than league average in 2025, according to wRC+, but 2% below average this year. Chisholm, who swings left-handed, continued to struggle against same-handed pitchers, who have limited him to an 82 wRC+ during his career. He’s been much better against right-handers, although his 107 wRC+ against them this season is still well below his career mark (118). Chisholm may have been lucky to post the mediocre numbers he did in 2026, as his expected weighted on-base average (.294) was 18 points below his actual wOBA (.312). He ranked in the 16th percentile of the league in xwOBA, and it was a similar story in expected batting average (.216; 7th percentile) and expected slugging percentage (.366; 24th percentile). Chisholm was also near the bottom of the league in K percentage (29.5; ninth percentile), although strikeouts have been part of the package since he debuted with the Marlins in 2020. As for his cornerstone work, Chisholm made a pair of defensive errors in the ALDS after receiving mixed reviews during the season. He was credited with minus-6 Defensive Runs Saved, 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) pleased Chisholm, who has typically earned favorable grades in those categories. Among second basemen, only Cardinals NL Rookie of the Year contender JJ Wetherholt surpassed Chisholm in OAA. Regardless of the position, Chisholm, who will soon turn 29, will be one of the more established free agent hitters available if he hits the open market. Brandon Lowe (Pirates), Luis Arráez (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 case of the Yankees, it is “highly unlikely” that they will extend the offer to Chisholm, according to Kuty. The Yankees did it last offseason for center fielder Trent Grisham, who at the time was coming off a career year, and it was considered a poor use of money. He accepted the $22.05 million offer and proceeded to endure a mediocre, injury-shortened season. It seems certain that Grisham will leave the Bronx in free agency this time, and if Chisholm joins him, the Yankees will have to find someone else to fill in as second. Luis García Jr., who could come out of first base, as well as Anthony Volpe and José Caballero represent some internal possibilities. Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images (via Reuters Connect)
