The New York Yankees have reportedly traded for Marlins outfielder and middle infielder, Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Bahamian born player has been one of the league’s most up and coming young stars, and will now move to the bright lights of New York City, in exchange for a three player prospect package.
The prospect package as far as we know right now, consists of three lower ranked prospects in the Yankees farm system, the trade being headlined by the 20th ranked prospect Agustin Ramirez. Ramirez has received praise at the AA level for his potential hit tool at the majors, but hasn’t been amazing in AAA this season.
In 125 plate appearances at the AAA level, Ramirez has hit for a slashline .224/.328/.364 with an OPS of .692. Ramirez tallied only four home runs and 20 RBI’s in his first stint in AAA Scranton.
For the two other prospects, those names have again yet to be reported, but they’ll more than likely be ranked lower than Ramirez, maintaining pieces like Spencer Jones, Roderick Arias, George Lombard, and Roc Riggio for now.
The Yankees got the Marlins star and now have to make a decision as to where he will play in the field. Jazz has played second base and middle infield in the past, and he now plays center field, giving the Yankees another outfield option.
A possibility that Jazz brings to this lineup is taking over the second base role, replacing Gleyber Torres if he was eventually used in a trade before the deadline. Jazz also gives the option to play center field, allowing Juan Soto or Jasson Dominguez to take left field, while Judge settles into right field. That would require Alex Verdugo to be moved before the deadline most likely.
With the bat, Jazz is easily an upgrade to this struggling Yankees lineup. In 2024, Jazz is currently hitting for a slashline of .249/.323/.407 with an OPS of .730. Jazz has been slightly above league average hitting for a 101 OPS+. He’s got pop from the left handed batters box, which is always a plus in the Bronx, and he has 13 home runs so far this season.
Jazz is also great on the basepaths, something not as commonly known to this Yankee roster. Chisholm is now another pair of legs in the lineup that can steal bases, and ranks in the 99th percentile for Baserunning Run Value according to Baseball Savant.
If Jazz can stay healthy, this is without a doubt a great move on the Yankees part, and should help spark their lineup and provide more defensive versatility to the roster.
Cover Photo: (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)