Yankees have concern about trade target

Jazz Chisholm has been frequently linked to the New York Yankees recently, particularly since the Miami Marlins are no longer in playoff contention. While many teams are still vying for a Wild Card spot, the Marlins are expected to be sellers as the July trade deadline approaches, with Chisholm widely anticipated to be traded. The left-handed outfielder, who has also been playing some second base to attract teams seeking infield help, boasts a 105 wRC+ and 13 home runs this season.

Despite his potential to strengthen the lineup, the Yankees reportedly have concerns about Chisholm’s clubhouse presence, as noted by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Whether this will deter them from pursuing him remains uncertain, and it might prompt them to consider other options for an upgrade.

Clubhouse Concerns Could Keep Yankees From Acquiring Jazz Chisholm

 

From a power and speed perspective, the appeal of acquiring a hitter like Jazz Chisholm is clear, as he would benefit from the short right-field porch. According to Statcast’s Expected Home Run metric, he would have hit 19 home runs if he played all his games in the Bronx. While this isn’t a perfect measure since the Yankees play only half their games at home, LoanDepot Park is significantly more pitcher-friendly than most AL East stadiums.

Chisholm would bring a boost to the Yankees’ slow roster, but there are concerns about his clubhouse presence and inconsistency at the plate. He publicly clashed with former Miami Marlin Miguel Rojas, who was not fond of his on-field behavior. While the full truth behind their issues remains unclear, it may not have sat well with everyone.

There have also been reports of friction between Chisholm and the Marlins, suggesting he might have an abrasive personality. However, this is speculative, and the Yankees have previously looked past such concerns to improve their roster. For example, they acquired Aroldis Chapman after the Dodgers dropped their deal due to his 2016 domestic violence incident and kept Domingo German until his 2023 outburst.

Clubhouse issues didn’t deter the Yankees from acquiring Alex Verdugo, who was benched multiple times by Alex Cora in Boston during the 2023 season and wasn’t well-liked. Verdugo, with his 98 wRC+, was a less effective player than Chisholm. The Yankees also picked up Josh Donaldson despite his reputation as a troublemaker in Minnesota, including calling out ace Gerrit Cole over foreign substances.

Either the public perception of Jazz Chisholm is incomplete, or the Yankees are shifting their stance on off-field issues, given their willingness to overlook a player’s character if it improves their performance. With their OPS, excluding Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, at .672, Chisholm’s .736 OPS represents a significant upgrade.