Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is one year away from free agency. He has expressed his desire to stay with the club via an extension. However, general manager Brian Cashman told Brendan Kuty of The Athletic at the general managers meetings this week that he has yet to approach Chisholm’s reps about extension talks.
“Not sure how that would play out,” Cashman said. “But we have not had any conversations outside of he’s looking forward to playing next year, he loves playing here, and, if we’re open (to), if you want to have a legitimate conversation about value, (he’s) open to a longer-term conversation as well.”
The Yankees don’t do many extensions in general. According to MLBTR’s Contract Tracker, which has data going back to the start of 2006, the Yankees have done six extensions in that almost-20-year time frame. There have been none since 2019, when they did three deals for Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks and Aroldis Chapman. None of those three deals worked out especially well for the club, so it’s perhaps not surprising that they haven’t gone back to that well.
Chisholm is coming off a good season. His 27.9% strikeout rate was on the high side but he increased his walk rate to 10.9%, the best of his career. He also hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases. His .242/.332/.481 batting line translated to a 126 wRC+. His third base defense wasn’t strong but the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon and moved Chisholm to second, where he graded out better. Put it all together and FanGraphs credited him with 4.4 wins above replacement.
It’s possible the Yankees are content to let Chisholm play his final arbitration season, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a $10.2MM salary, and then let him walk. Assuming he has another season like he did in 2025, he would easily turn down a qualifying offer in search of a strong multi-year pact beginning with his age-29 season.
By that time, it’s possible that prospect George Lombard Jr. has arrived and pushed his way into the middle infield conversation. Lombard, 21 in June, was the club’s first-round pick in 2023. He has been climbing the minor league ladder and reached Double-A in May. He got into 108 games at that level this year and should reach Triple-A in 2026, maybe even right out of camp. He only hit eight home runs and had just a .215 batting average at that level, but he drew walks at a strong 13.6% clip. His .215/.337/.358 line translated to a 111 wRC+.
Though that offense isn’t overwhelming, Lombard was young for the level. He’s still regarded by most outlets as one of the top 50 prospects in the league. His defense is considered strong enough for him to stick at shortstop. Per Kuty, Cashman said this week that Lombard could reach the majors in 2026 but 2027 is more likely. “Defensively, he’s ready to go,” the GM said. “And offensively, it looks like he needs more time, and we’re looking to drive that time and those reps. So I wouldn’t think ’26 is on the horizon, but I wouldn’t (rule out) ’26 at the same time.”
The Yankees can control Anthony Volpe via arbitration through 2028 and José Caballero through 2029. Perhaps they feel that Chisholm’s departure and Lombard’s arrival can sync up fairly nicely so that the middle infield can be addressed internally, allowing them to commit their resources towards pitching or the outfield. Then again, it’s also possible they could circle back to Chisholm later, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Volpe’s shoulder injury and poor performance in 2025. The most common time for extension talks is in the spring, after a club has spent the offseason focusing on external additions.
As for Ben Rice, his fit isn’t locked down but he’ll be in there one way or another. As relayed by Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Cashman didn’t firmly declare whether Rice would be catching or at first base, but he said first base was more likely. One way or another, Cashman confirmed he would be be an everyday player.
That’s not surprising, as Rice hit 26 home runs this year, helping him produce a .255/.337/.499 slash line and 133 wRC+. He did a bit of catching but spent more time at first. With Paul Goldschmidt now a free agent, it’s possible Rice could just take up that spot on an everyday basis. Like most lefty hitters, he was better against righties in 2025, but his work against southpaws was passable. His batting average wasn’t great in the split but he hit seven homers in 119 plate appearances without the platoon advantage, leading to a .208/.271/.481 slash and 104 wRC+.
Phillips also notes that Cashman spoke of a desire to add a catcher who swings from the right side, since each of Austin Wells, Rice and J.C. Escarra are lefty bats. Cashman described the market as “very thin” but there are righty bats out there. J.T. Realmuto is too good for a short-side platoon job and the same is likely true of Victor Caratini, but guys like Danny Jansen, James McCann, Luke Maile, Mitch Garver and old friend Gary Sánchez are available.
Photo courtesy of Albert Cesare, Imagn Images
Volpe needs to produce on both sides to stay. He has talent, but may not fit the yankees for much longer. Jazz is obviously productive. Lombard could replace volpe
If Volpe can show some life next season, they can move him to 2B for ’27. While I really like Jazz and also what he brings publicly to a team devoid of personality, I don’t think they should extend him.
YBC, it’s what else “he brings” that worries me about him long term. Caballaro makes him needed for 26 with Volpe a question mark. In this case, I agree with Cashman about waiting until after next year with a new CBA and reassess.
@Dewey
What is it you think he “brings” to the clubhouse that’s an issue?
Yeah Dewey I am also very curious on what you’re worried about that jazz “brings” off the field.
On the baseball side of things, Caballero did a good job in his playing time after the trade but his longer term track record doesn’t particularly support the notion that he’s a solid bet to be a long-term starting solution in middle infield imo. I like him as a versatile utility player and a guy who can hold down a spot during shorter IL stints for starters and bring some value, but jazz is a clear starting caliber if not all star quality second baseman. I like lombard quite a bit as a prospect but anyone who has been rushing to anoint him as the answer to the yanks’ prayers in the infield at this point is only repeating the same mistakes that led to so many fans turning so viciously on volpe when he did not turn out to be the second coming of Derek jeter.
All in all I’m plenty open to the idea of keeping jazz around longer especially if he’s down to give the yanks a bit of a rate on the deal to lock it down.
Jazz giving the Yankees a deal? Forget that. There is a Yankee tax. he is not taking small money. Like all players, he wants more from them. They wont extend him. I thnk he walks. Hot dog in the clubhouse and big talker.
@Yankees
I don’t understand your logic. If he performing at a Yankee high level (+4 WAR), wants to be here in NYC and had intangibles that fit the city and the clubhouse then scratch off that box and focus elsewhere. Imo Lombard has a long way to go and shouldn’t even be in our thoughts for 2026. I love his walk rate but he’s yet to hit above .215 at the AA level and struck out almost 150x last year. How does that project to be near ready for a 2026 debut? They did the same exact thing with Volpe and we see what’s happening. Volpe’s glove was ready but at age 22 and only 20 games at AAA, he obviously needed more seasonings. Extend Jazz and consider 2B filled. Give Volpe another year at SS with Caballero in the mix and let Lomvard start the season in AA. The only way he should sniff the majors in 2026 is if he completely dominates minor league pitching and makes it obvious he belongs in the major. Let’s not act lot you can’t like having too much talent is a problem.
I’m opening to re-signing Jazz to a free agent deal fully aware that he may cost the team more money.
I liked Brett Gardner when he played LF and CF, and I wish Gardner was as good as Jazz. But I wanted them to keep Gardner almost to the end. You don’t give up versatile talent like this that WANTS to stay a Yankee. Jazz has at least 4 to 5 good years ahead of him and is worthy of an extension.
Yes
So hitting .215 (Lombard) is better than Volpe who while having a down defensive year, still has a GG to his credit……just because he walks at a 13% rate shouldn’t cement him as a replacement….again analytics shouldn’t replace your eyes and ears and older statistics that tell you lots about a ballplayers ability…..
Miguel Amaya for Fernando Cruz. Yankees probably don’t do that trade. I would.
Cruz emotion clearly outweighs his abilities….he fails as often as he succeeds…..needs to be replaced….
Yankees hyping Lombard like they did can’t miss Volpe and Peraza. He’s 20 years old and career 236 hitter.
Young for his level..
That only matters if he’s performing.
Define “Yankees hyping Lombard”.
Cashman’s quote was “Defensively, he’s ready to go,” the GM said. “And offensively, it looks like he needs more time,” I’d say that’s spot on. I think people have been saying that so much, they don’t even know what it means anymore.
100% Joe. If anything I see that quote as Cashman trying to moderate and cool down the fanbase hype and clamor for lombard to be starting at short in ny now now now, which has been going on since early in the 2025 season in defiance of all logic and baseball sense imo. If anyone’s hyping up lombard it’s the prospect ratings outlets and a portion of the fanbase who saw him get some good swings in spring training and wanted to talk themselves into a quick internal fix for their bitterness and impossibly high expectations of volpe.
When you say Yanks hyping, who are you referring to? Fans or the GM?
Media, fans, whoever
@Wvsteve
Then stop saying the “Yanks” or “Cashan” hype their prospects. Go a step further and stop acting like non- Yankee related media hypes the Yanks prospects as opposed to other teams. If Baseball America favors a Yanks prospect that should be an ask an opinion just as valid as for any other teams prospects. Cashman isn’t “hyping” them as opposed to “valuing” them and any GM says by someone else’s opinion should be fired.
Cash gives orders to the yankee media cronies to hype them up.
When your “untouchable” top prospect hits .215 in AA, maybe you should question why he is “untouchable” in the first place. I am not arguing that batting average is an important stat or anything, but I am arguing that it is much more difficult to hit in the majors than in AA. If you can only get to .215 in AA, I don’t think an AL batting title is ever going to be likely. He could end up being a solid regular, hope he is, but the level of “untouchable” prospects feels like it should be higher than simply a solid regular.
Most 20 y.o.’s are not playing at the AA level. He’s been clearly fast-tracked.
Agree YBC. While most teams overhype their own, the fact that he has already reached AA with no overhyping articles says it all to me. Most must believe in this kid.
@YBC
Well them slow his ass down. They did the same thing with Volpe and while his glove was ready, his base stealing was ready, his power was ready, his bat to ball skills weren’t and that’s exactly what he’s being killed for now at age 24. I think Volpe could’ve benefited from 100 game at AAA.
Which is a nice excuse, but it doesn’t really disprove what I am saying. Whether he is 20 or 25 or 36, it is still harder to hit in the majors than in AA. Clearly he is not ready to be fast-tracked if he can only do the bare minimum in AA.
He absolutely needs more time and needs to SHOW he deserves to be promoted to AAA rather than just rushed along like theres a timer in place. I don’t know how ammunition can think he should be on the squad in 2026
ammunition should be “anyone”. pardon typos.
@knicksfan – Well that is certainly one way to shoot your mouth off…
I’ve often thought the Yankees specifically should have every prospect available in trade. Or at least, they should have fewer ‘untouchables’ than they seem to have.
I just did a quick check of their drafting results since the ‘core four’ which was 30 years ago. The Yanks have drafted and developed 5 position players who could be described as everyday starters… in 30 years.
bWar
62.3 Aaron Judge
44.3 Brett Gardner
21.9 Austin Jackson
8.3 Anthony Volpe
7.3 Josh Smith
One Supernova. One really solid guy in Gardner. Jackson was good for the first four years. Then whatever Volpe and Smith are going to be.
On the pitching side, they’ve actually had a lot of success, particularly with relievers. I’d be more inclined to hold onto pitchers that were drafted.
bWAR
21.9 David Robertson
15.9 Tyler Clippard
13.4 Mark Melancon
11.1 Dellin Betances
11.1 Jordan Montgomery
11.0 Phil Hughes
8.8 Nestor Cortes
8.2 Garrett Whitlock
7.6 Joba Chamberlain
7.3 David Phelps
Of course BA is important….when you hit .215……that’s 21 1/2 hits per 100 at bats without walks which he success at a whopping 13%…but that still an extremely poor batting performance…..and that’s in AA….wonder what that goes to in AAA and possibly in the Majors…analytics were created by agents to prop up every old school negative in a players tool box…..
Volpe was an untouchable. Same with Jason Domiguez.
I want it both ways- extend jazz and find room for Lombard etc knowing Lombard isn’t as sure a thing as Jazz likely is.
Keep Jazz and play Lombard at 3B when McMahon contract is done
I have never as a yankee fan had less confidence in the team in general. They are in the dangerous mediocrity zone with no signs of moving beyond
Making it to the WS last year and then being tied with the best record in the AL the next year without your ace Gerrit Cole is “in the mediocrity zone”??
Cashman has been with the Yankees for 28 years….he is failing far too often for them to succeed
@Rocky
Can we agree what the GMs job is vs the team? If Cashman puts together a team that does all of what they are good at doing to win their division and match into the post-season and then collectively STOP doing what they did all season, then that blame should be placed on the players? Last year was a perfect example. Errors by guys that are usually good defenders like Judge, Volpe, Jazz and Cole. Bats go cold by Judge, Soto, Jazz, etc. I dint agree with every move but I’m happy to have Cashman as GM.
What i blame cashman for is the complete and utter lack of infield depth in the organization. It’s likely the reason volpe played hurt. There was nothing behind him. It was volpe and jazz cabrera with peraza behind them and supposedly DJ behind him. After that it was glove only shewmake, glove only ss in lombard and a bat only 2B in riggio. For a team with WS aspirations to not already have a caballero type that’s really poor foresight. I didn’t hate the devin deal in a vacuum but dealing durbin while razor thin in MLB ready IF depth was foolish from day 1.
@Sorin
Listen to what you just said. They started off with IF depth from Cabrera, Perazza, DJ and not to mention Orbit. You say they were derelict of duty for not having a “Caballero type” waiting in the wings for depth forgetting that he was a starter last year and a 2 WAR player. I have no idea why Yanks traded him so easily for a fringy guy the Yanks couldn’t protect any more but I doubt any mlb team has a guy like that hanging around as depth. Cashman literally stole Caballero for nothing.
Job of a YANKEE GM is to win a World Series title and get the BEST players on the roster to do that EVERY year! So how has Cash done since Girardi & Jeter WS? How many years gone by, and w Boone no WS Added # 28?
Give me a break! This HAS to be Cashmans last year if no WS.
A shorter extension actually makes perfect sense for the Yankees: something like 4 years at $80–90M, I project anything beyond 2030 will be regretted as he’s most likely going to be a below-average player.
Jazz wants big money from the Yankees. Not small money. No way he will take that chump change. He wants a long big mega deal.
@robw5555
Then it isn’t worth it. He’s not going to be any good after 2030.
You are the Yankees – why get rid of talent that has shown that it can play in NY to clear room for an unproven replacement? Always let the kids force their way into the mix.
@Carver
I agree with you 100%
He simply hasn’t played well. He’s young but so was volpe. Look how he panned out yet. He has time but he’s nowhere near ML ready
When they finish the brawl room at the Wide House, they will head up to Pooperstown to build the Lombard Wing.
Yankees problem is hiting at the Playoff, ask to Judge,,pitching is always fine
What? In the first two games to the Blue Jays that great Yankees pitching gave up 23 runs. May Fried lasted 3 innings 7ER, Gil who sucks is a 2 inning man. In a must win game Varland? He was a one inning man. To thing you are going to the World Series with guys who cant go more than 3 innings? Laughable. The Mets are an April May team. The Yankees start to fade when the leaves fall from the trees. A rag tag team of low budget Marlins players swept the Yankees in August. To me that showed they were not going anywhere. 2026 Will be another Dodgers win. They will be sining more players.
Keep & sign Jazz to 3 yr deal. He brings life to clubhouse (with many stiffs around) and keeps humor alive. His contribution on the field helped Yankees for sure. Sign our CF starter before January. Cashman has signed & kept over the years on the roster WAY worse players with WAY worse numbers! Rice at first, NYY need a consistent offensive production at 3rd, sign the guy from Japan.