As the New York Yankees attempt to retool to get themselves back into World Series contention after suffering elimination in the American League Division Series round this year, they have been surprisingly slow to make moves. In fact, they have not made any major trades or signings so farâeven as they lost two of their key bullpen armsâDevin Williams and Luke Weaverâto the New York Mets in free agency.
At the same time, one of the more surprising developments to come out of the Bronx has been, just within the last several days, Yankees general manager Brian Cashmanâs reported willingness to put versatile All-Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the trade block. According to longtime ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan, Cashman has already âlistenedâ to offers for Chisholm.
Cashman ‘Open’ to Surprising Trade
Cashman himself seemed, albeit obliquely, to confirm that he is âopenâ to trading Chisholm.
âWe are open-minded to challenge trades on a lot of our talented players because, yes, we are left-handed,â the Yankees GM said last week, as quoted by The Athletic. âThat is a problem. Is it a problem that can be solved in the near term, or does it have to try to get solved over time?â
Chisholm is a left-handed hitter and would appear to be one of the few players on the Yankeesâ roster who could be involved in a âchallenge tradeââthat is, a trade of major league talent for major league talent, as opposed to trades involving minor league prospects.
Chisholm Must Net Quality Pitching in Return
Chisholm will be playing his final season under team control, and according to Spotrac is expected to command a contractâeither through arbitration or negotiation with the teamâof $11.7 million for next season.
The 27-year-old Nassau, Bahamas, native had a breakout season in 2025, becoming only the third different Yankees player in the teamâs storied history to hit at least 30 home runs and steal at least 30 bases in the same season. Bobby Bonds did it in 1975, and Alfonso Soriano accomplished the feat twice, in 2002 and 2003.
But what the Yankees need most is pitching, and with that in mind, Bleacher Report MLB analyst Zachary D. Rymer on Wednesday outlined a potential trade that would address New Yorkâs starting pitching needs while sending Chisholm to a team, the Detroit Tigers, that needs an infielder.
With 2023 Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, three-time All-Star left-hander Carlos Rodon, and former first-round draft pick Clarke Schmidt all expected to miss starts at the outset of the season as they recover from various surgeries, the Yankees could use Tigers 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick Casey Mize to solidify their rotation.
Standout Rookie Reliever Completes Would-Be Deal
Mize, who earned his first All-Star bid in 2025, would be one part of the return in the âchallenge tradeâ for Chisholm Jr., according to Rymerâs scenario. Like Chisholm, Mize would be in his final year of team control and is projected by Spotrac to receive an economical, $5.5 million contract in 2026 before hitting free agency after the season.
The second half of the Yankeesâ return for Chisholm, according to Rymer, would be a solid 2025 rookie relief pitcher for Detroit, Troy Melton. The 25-year-old fourth-round draft pick out of San Diego State debuted in July and went on to post a 2.76 ERA in 45 2/3 innings over 16 appearances, all but four in relief.
As a second-year player, Melton would be paid a salary of typically $820,000 and would not even be eligible for arbitration until 2029, meaning that the Yankees could look at him as a long-term solution in middle relief.
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