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Yankees Fans Celebrate Jazz Chisholm Jr. Trade, Giving Needed Depth to Updated Lineup

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVJuly 27, 2024

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 24: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #2 of the Miami Marlins runs home to score a run against the Baltimore Orioles during the seventh inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 24, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Megan Briggs/Getty Images

The New York Yankees are on the cups of a major splash on Saturday, reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire star Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the Miami Marlins, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

It's a bit unclear at this point where Chisholm will play or bat. He was primarily playing center field in Miami and hitting leadoff, but Aaron Judge handles center for the Yankees and hitting Chisholm leadoff would lead to some odd lineup balance unless the Yankees moved Judge to second in the lineup and Soto third.

Both players have thrived in their respective slots thus far, however, so the Yankees might consider bumping Chisholm back a bit in the batting order. Given his speed on the base paths, however, that may be unwise.

Here's the very tentative projected lineup:

  1. Jazz Chisholm Jr., LF
  2. Juan Soto, RF
  3. Aaron Judge, CF
  4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
  5. Austin Wells, C
  6. Anthony Rizzo, 1B (when healthy)
  7. Anthony Volpe, SS
  8. Oswaldo Cabrera, 3B
  9. Gleyber Torres, 2B

The Yankees could also choose to play him at second, trade the struggling Torres and keep Alex Verdugo as the primary option in left field. They have options.

Regardless, fans and pundits seemed mostly happy with the acquisition:

MLB Network @MLBNetwork

"He's certainly a dynamic player... he brings a little juice to them that they're in need of." - Buck Showalter on Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees <a href="https://t.co/9iV7e7rCjl">pic.twitter.com/9iV7e7rCjl</a>

FanDuel Sportsbook @FDSportsbook

The Yankees just traded for Jazz Chisholm 🤯<br><br>One of the sweetest swings in the MLB 🫡<a href="https://t.co/4oD0v57zCs">pic.twitter.com/4oD0v57zCs</a>

Ryan Garcia @RyanGarciaESM

You also did pay a premium for his services. It's from a position of strength, but it's a premium in my opinion and I think other prospect evaluators with more knowledge than me would agree.

kyle @knicks_tape99

Jazz is an average bat and that's a massive upgrade from majority of the current lineup.

Michael Fabiano @Michael_Fabiano

If Jazz Chisholm isn't playing the outfield (no chance he's playing right or center), does he play 2nd base and the Yankees then trade Gleyber for pitching help?

Jonathan @Jon_94_

Jazz Chisholm was just meant to be a Yankee.

Patrick Hennessy @UnhingedPatrick

I can't believe there are actually people hating on this Jazz Chisholm trade.<br><br>He is not a superstar, but a massive upgrade to the Yankees lineup.<br><br>This fanbase refuses to be happy. Losers.

Danny @papa_gleyber25_

Jazz Chisholm is not a super star, but he is a good player, and he makes the Yankees better. <a href="https://t.co/IvYfT5J8ti">https://t.co/IvYfT5J8ti</a>

Chisholm, 26, is hitting .249 with 13 homers, 50 RBI, 46 runs, 22 stolen bases and a .730 OPS. He won't need to be a superstar in New York, just an upgrade over their current options at either second base and left field, and an upgrade at the leadoff spot.

It's a splashy move. The Yankees, who have been scuffling, desperately need it to pan out.