Longtime New York Yankees insider Bryan Hoch says the team appears “lukewarm” about extending All-Star second baseman Jazz Chisholm ahead of the 2026 season.
During an appearance on SNY’s “Baseball Night in New York” on Wednesday night, Hoch was asked why he’d hypothetically be open to trading Chisholm this offseason. Chisholm, who became only the third Yankees player with a 30-30 season, can hit free agency next winter.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters in mid-November that the team had not begun discussing a new contract with Chisholm, who turns 28 in February.
“As of right now, it seems like they’re lukewarm about giving him a contract extension,” said Hoch, who covers the Yankees for MLB.com.
Hoch added, “Dynamic player, but do the Yankees see him as their future at second base? And if not, he could probably bring a significant return right here. He might be one of your best trade chips.”
Hoch’s comments come only days before the Winter Meetings begin in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Yankees have a recent history of making significant moves at the Winter Meetings, adding Giancarlo Stanton (2017), Gerrit Cole (2019) and Juan Soto (2023) within the last decade.
What to Know About Jazz Chisholm and the Yankees’ Second Base Situation
Chisholm hit .242 with 31 home runs, 80 RBIs, 31 stolen bases and an .813 OPS in 130 games. The sixth-year second baseman recorded 4.2 bWAR in his first full season with the Yankees and earned his first Silver Slugger.
Cashman has been the Yankees’ general manager since 1998, and the Yankees have not typically extended players during that time. Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera both hit free agency during their careers, as did Aaron Judge. The Yankees most recently signed outfielder Aaron Hicks to a seven-year extension worth $70 million in February 2019, though they cut ties with him in 2023. Starting pitcher Luis Severino signed a four-year, $40 million extension during the same period and left the Yankees in free agency following the 2023 season.
A Chisholm trade would have significant ramifications on the Yankees’ lineup, and not only because they’d need to find a new second baseman. The Yankees are expected to begin next season without starting shortstop Anthony Volpe, who underwent shoulder surgery following the ALDS loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
José Caballero, Oswaldo Cabrera and Jorbit Vivas are the returning middle infielders on the 40-man roster, and the Yankees also have former first-round pick Braden Shewmake as another option. Caballero, who hit .266 with an .828 OPS and 15 stolen bases in 95 plate appearances after joining the Yankees via a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, is likely the early favorite to start at shortstop in Volpe’s absence.
George Lombard Jr., who MLB Pipeline considers the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect, has primarily played shortstop in the minors. However, he has played second and third when needed, though there is no indication the Yankees would consider allowing Lombard to contend for a big-league roster spot; he doesn’t turn 21 until next June and hit .215 in nearly 470 plate appearances at Double-A Somerset.
There have been no credible reports regarding a possible Chisholm trade, and it is important to note that Hoch presented the idea in response to a hypothetical question. The Yankees open the 2026 season against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, March 25.
Related: MLB Insider Shares Cody Bellinger Free Agency Update Before Winter Meetings
Related: Yankees Fans Furiously Call Out Sonny Gray After Trade Comments
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
