Rizzo was adamant in not cutting any slack on the Yankees after another early postseason exit. Rizzo said, “That’s the thing, they don’t earn that right anymore. You can’t just walk into every spring and say it’s World Series or bust, for the Dodgers it’s World Series or bust,” not the Yankees. Rizzo held no bars unattended.

The Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009. After that, they’ve only got to the World Series once, in 2024, and they got a gentleman’s sweep loss in five games to the Dodgers.

Rizzo also took issue with Chisholm’s comments

After one of the worst seasons in his MLB career, Jazz Chisholm Jr. doesn’t have many fans in New York right now. Rizzo stated that Chisholm “looks like a player that’s lost.” This comes after Chisholm said he was confused about why he was being booed.

Rizzo said, “It surprises you that you were boeed? What do you mean? You’ve played there for 3+ years now, you’ve seen Volpe get ran out of town, you’ve seen Judge get boeed, you’ve seen Stanton get booed… It surprises you that you got booed, that’s not the right way to answer these questions…”

Plenty of changes could come for the NY Yankees

The Yankees have reportedly made their mind on Aaron Boone’s future as a manager. Still, plenty of names could be on the move. The fact is that the Yankees need an overhaul.

Key takeaways

• Anthony Rizzo criticized the Yankees for claiming a “World Series or bust” mentality despite no titles since 2009.
• Rizzo called out Jazz Chisholm Jr., saying he looked like a player who was lost.
• Chisholm expressed confusion over being booed by New York fans following his poor performance.

Indeed, the Yankees’ qualifying-offer dilemma with Chisholm Jr. will only get more expensive this offseason, but there may not be a decision to make after all. Especially after the tough note on which the season ended for Jazz and the fanbase, as Chisholm Jr. lectured Yankees fans after being booed in Game 3 of the ALDS. In addition to Chisholm, there are several other players whose contracts are expiring and who will demand a firm decision from the front office.

These are all the position players currently in the Yankees organization with contracts expiring at the end of 2026: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trent Grisham, Paul Goldschmidt, and Amed Rosario. All of them signed one-year deals coming into the season, though in different situations, and could all be allowed to walk by the Yankees.

Chisholm Jr. and Grisham didn’t meet expectations after signing to avoid arbitration and on a $22 million qualifying-offer deal, respectively. As for Goldschmidt, he’s 39 years old. Even after the early playoff exit, he made it clear he loves competing, but it remains to be seen if New York will have him back next spring.

Bullpen free agents

Other big free-agency storylines for the Bronx Bombers revolve around their bullpen. Going into the offseason, the Yankees have all of their starting pitchers locked in at least through 2028. The same can’t be said about their relief options, though.

According to Spotrac, the following pitchers are set to hit free agency: closer David Bednar and relievers John Schreiber, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, Paul Blackburn, and Michael Fulmer.

Aaron Boone’s future

Make no mistake, Boone isn’t a free agent. For two reasons: the main one is that he’s a manager, and managers don’t go through free agency. Secondly, he’s under contract in The Bronx. The Yankees’ manager is signed through the 2027 MLB campaign. However, he may not be able to play out the full length of his two-year extension signed back in 2025 (club option for the 2027 season).

With the Pinstripers falling short of the end goal—which is always to hoist the World Series trophy—the pressure has only mounted for Boone, and fans are asking for heads to roll. Fans may not light their torches and walk toward Yankee Stadium, but they are making themselves heard, and many want out of the Aaron Boone experience.

The Yankees aren’t obliged to, but it’s all trending toward them having to make a decision on Boone soon. And even if Cam Schlittler took the playoff elimination off Boone’s shoulders, the die may already be cast.

Key takeaways

• Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trent Grisham, Paul Goldschmidt, and Amed Rosario all have expiring contract deals in 2026.
• David Bednar, John Schreiber, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, Paul Blackburn, and Michael Fulmer are set for free agency.
• Aaron Boone remains under contract with the New York Yankees through the 2027 MLB campaign.

Based on the contract year he’s had in The Bronx, Chisholm Jr. could’ve seen it coming. Regardless, he was taken aback a bit, though not hurt by the boos. After the 4-3 loss in Game 3 and the elimination from the 2026 MLB Postseason, Jazz had a reminder for the fans: in the playoffs, teams are supposed to stay together.

“It doesn’t hurt. It’s just confusing because it’s the playoffs and we’re trying to win games. So you’re booing a guy that’s playing trying to help the team win,” Chisholm Jr. stated postgame, via SNY.

Even though Aaron Boone had let Jazz and others off the hook, the wounds from Chisholm Jr. doubling down on his costly error in Game 2 were still fresh after the Game 3 elimination, and once again, Jazz’s statement has raised eyebrows in The Bronx.

Fitting, troubled, ending for the NY Yankees

With the season on the line, the Yankees entered the ninth inning of Game 3 of the ALDS with the bottom of their batting order on deck. To many, all hope was lost as soon as Giancarlo Stanton struckout in the eighth.

The veteran making his postseason debut was the last hope for a miracle, but not even the player with the second best all-time at-bat per home run average in MLB postseason history could save the Bronx Bombers.

In the end, Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham (leadoff batter for the Yankees in Game 3) were the final at-bats, and they couldn’t salvage their reputation at Yankee Stadium.

Potential last game for Chisholm Jr. in NYC

There is no other way around it. Chisholm Jr. was playing for his future in The Bronx in the playoffs. His contract is expiring, the qualifying offer dilemma has only become more expensive for the Yankees, and it might essentially be all she wrote for him in New York.

At the end of the day, Yankees fans will remember Chisholm Jr. was responsible for a costly out with the season on the line. The fact he stole a base and put himself in scoring position will stay in no one’s memory of the heartbreaking Game 3 eliminating loss.

As he left Yankee Stadium for the final time in the 2026 season—possibly the last time in his MLB career—Jazz Chisholm Jr. wore Yankees apparel from head to toe. It was quite the image and sent a message loud and clear, but it may all be in vain.

Key takeaways

• Yankees fans jeered Jazz Chisholm Jr. during an out in Game 3 of the ALDS.
• New York was eliminated from the 2026 MLB Postseason following a 4-3 loss.
• Chisholm Jr. was playing on an expiring contract as his future in New York remains uncertain.

For Boone, the move came down to a gut feeling heading into a pivotal ALDS matchup against Tampa Bay. “Just felt like it. I felt like I wanted to go with him today,” Boone told reporters prior to the game.

While Chisholm was let off the hook by Boone despite his Game 2 struggles, the manager opted to shake up the starting nine. The move gives Volpe—who endured his own prolonged slumps earlier this year—a chance to prove his past struggles are behind him on the big stage.

Paired with Boone’s recent injury update on Aaron Judge following Game 1 of the ALDS, the Yankees hope this lineup adjustment provides the spark needed to turn the series around and punch their ticket to the ALCS.

Volpe’s stats compared to Chisholm Jr.

The two infielders entered October under vastly different circumstances: Volpe missed significant time due to performance issues, while Chisholm Jr. missed only a handful of games. Their regular-season numbers reflect that disparity, but a head-to-head comparison provides key context:

In the postseason, Chisholm had been a staple at third base for New York throughout the Division Series, offering solid defense and launching a solo home run. However, his bat has cooled off significantly alongside the rest of a struggling Yankees lineup.

Key takeaways

• Aaron Boone started Anthony Volpe at shortstop over Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Volpe played 56 games with a .240 batting average during the season.
• Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit 19 home runs and drove in 55 runs.

Instead, the Yankees’ dugout-boss urged the team to turn the page. That’s not to say the mistakes made by Chisholm Jr. and company in Game 2 will be brushed aside and left unaddressed, but it signals New York won’t beat around a dead horse. What’s done is done. The Yankees must move on and turn around a 0-2 series deficit. If they fail, then history will judge them.

“Yeah, some good defenders that didn’t make a couple of plays. We’ve got to get over it, though,” Boone said after Game 2 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field. “As simple as that. We can’t dwell on what just happened to us, we’ve got to come ready playing for our lives Wednesday night and I expect this team to do that. We’ve stared a lot of uncertainty in the face all year and these guys have responded time and time again. We need to do that again right now.“

One of those nights for NY Yankees

The Yankees are largely to be blamed for putting themselves in the less-than-favorable position they are in. However, they have had some tough luck so far against the Rays. Game 2 best exemplified it.

With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, Cody Bellinger made solid contact with a ball that felt destined for a trip over the wall. It came up just short and the inning was over.

What could’ve been a 5-1 lead for the Bronx Bombers midway through Game 2 turned into that exact lead for the home team in the bottom of the inning. Again, the Yankees must let bygones be bygones, else their chances of surviving elimination in the 2026 MLB Postseason will be slim and none.

Yankees abandoned what worked before

The Yankees are looking different from their AL Wild Card version. If they deserved praise for weathering Aaron Judge’s absence last round — and actually playing smarter baseball as a result — the Pinstripers deserve equal criticism for steering away of it in the ALDS.

Obviously, the Rays’ lineup offers a tougher challenge, but it may be no excuse for the Yankees abandoning what previously worked. New York had shown a side it rarely did. The Yanks didn’t rely on the typical home-run-or-bust strategy they had in previous postseasons, but are falling back on that sword again.

As great as Ben Rice’s play has been this postseason, the fact his solo homers are the only runs New York has been able to put on the board against Tampa Bay is very telling. Standing between a rock and a hard place, the Yankees have no choice but to pull off an improbable 180-degree turn, or the season will be over.

Key takeaways

• Aaron Boone urged the Yankees to move on after Game 2 mistakes.
• New York blew a potential 5-1 lead after Cody Bellinger’s flyout ended the fifth inning.
• Solo home runs by Ben Rice account for all of New York’s ALDS scoring.

In the bottom of the first inning, the Rays got off to a great start and had runners on first and second base as Junior Caminero stepped up to the plate. He hit a ground ball that shortstop George Lombard Jr. handed to Chisholm Jr. for an out at second. Instead of settling for the one-out play, Jazz went for the double play, making an ill-advised throw to first that missed Luis Garcia by a mile. That error allowed Yandy Diaz to open the scoring and Caminero to reach second.

With his back turned and in an awkward position, the odds of Chisholm making that throw were very low, and in such a high-stakes scenario, Aaron Boone would’ve instructed the pending free agent to hold on to the ball 10 out of 10 times. Following the 5-2 loss that pushed the Yankees to the brink of elimination and was filled with errors on defense for New York, Chisholm Jr. dropped a bold statement about his error, one that fans didn’t take lightly.

“Honestly, I’d probably still throw it,” Chisholm Jr. said, via Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, on the play. “The play was trying to be made. I just feel like I could have probably tried to make an even better throw. Where I’d throw it, I’d try and throw it a little more closer to the base. My back was turned.”

Yankees fans bash Jazz

The error in the first inning of Game 2 of the ALDS might as well recap Chisholm’s year in a nutshell. It’s been that type of season for the soon-to-be free agent in MLB, and he’s been hearing it from fans all year long.

If his errors, subpar batting numbers, and eyebrow-raising comments are combined with the fact that qualifying offers in MLB will only get more expensive, it might put the writing on the wall for Jazz’s time in The Bronx. Clearly, most fans on social media have made up their minds.

“Chisholm is hopeless. He’s a legend in his own mind,” one fan wrote on X. “Saying ‘even better’ is implying the throw was good to begin with. That (expletive) ball landed back in Yankee stadium,” another one replied to Chisholm’s statement. “If you as a player are hitting the deck as you are going to throw, don’t throw it. Your odds of making an accurate throw are slim to none. Jazz’s pride is what will always outweigh his immense talent,” a Yankees fan stated.

Rough outing for NY Yankees

For the second straight game at Tropicana Field, the Yankees didn’t quite look like themselves. They have seemingly turned away from what was working after doing all the right things against the Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card. Obviously, the Rays are a much better team, but it’s often through self-inflicted injuries that the Pinstripers hurt themselves.

As much controversy as his comment on the error may bring, Chisholm described the game perfectly during his locker room media availability. “We beat ourselves today in a lot of ways,” he said.

New York has its back against the wall, only one loss away from the 2026 season being over. Once that happens, Pandora’s box will open in The Bronx, with Chisholm Jr. likely to be one of the first to feel the immediate effects, and a long winter of questions will begin.

Key takeaways

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. made a first-inning throwing error during Game 2 of the ALDS.
• The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 5-2, placing New York on the brink of elimination.
• “Honestly, I’d probably still throw it,” Chisholm Jr. said regarding his errant throw.

Although the Yankees players don’t have their names on the backs of their jerseys, every fan in MLB knows who No. 13 on the Pinstripers is, and they also know how much pressure is on him throughout the 2026 campaign. Chisholm Jr. is set to become a free agent once the season comes to an end, regardless of how deep into October he and New York can go.

Once the best month of the year in baseball is over, Chisholm Jr.’s future will be up in the air, and the Bronx Bombers will have to make a decision. Based on reports around the Big Apple, the qualifying-offer route remains an option for the Yankees, but it’s set to become an even more expensive one.

According to a report from Joel Sherman on the New York Post, the qualifying offer number will rise from the $22.03 million set last winter to $23.1 million next offseason. For the time being, the MLB and Players’ Association (MLBPA) have yet to reach a final agreement, but it looks imminent the price will go up.

How it affects the NY Yankees

Although it’s reportedly only a little over a million-dollar increase, the rising qualifying-offer price might affect New York’s decision-making when it comes to Chisholm Jr.’s contract situation.

The Yankees and Chisholm avoided arbitration last year by agreeing on a one-year, $10.2 million deal, and the two parties may be headed for even more drama in 2026 and 2027, too.

Pros and cons of qualifying offer

There is a risk-reward aspect to extending a qualifying offer that the Pinstripers will have to weigh carefully before deciding what to do. If the Yankees extend a qualifying offer to Chisholm, then they would—in the worst-case scenario, assuming he signs with a different MLB club—receive a compensatory draft selection. If Chisholm Jr., on the other hand, accepts the offer and signs again in the Bronx, then the Yankees will keep their second baseman, but at a high price.

Chisholm Jr. contract talks

Put strictly in numbers, a $23 million qualifying offer would be more than a 100 percent raise over Jazz’s $10.2 million salary in 2026. Considering the struggles he’s had throughout the regular season, in which he posted career-worst averages and OPS over a full season, it would be too big a reward for what was anything but a smooth-sailing contract year for the two-time All-Star in New York.

The alternative is either letting Chisholm Jr. go and test the free-agent market or negotiating a new deal with him, while being left vulnerable to him signing elsewhere and truly coming away empty-handed.

As things stand, a one-year, $23.1 million contract for Chisholm Jr. would be absurd business for the Yankees. However, with the postseason ongoing, nothing can be ruled out until the Bronx Bombers see the complete story unfold.

Chisholm Jr. could re-sign for less money

There’s also a scenario in which Chisholm Jr. wants to return to The Bronx in 2027 and won’t demand what looks like a ridiculous qualifying-offer, one-year contract, but will instead settle for a lower deal in favor of long-term job security.

Whichever is the case, it will only be clearer when the 2026 MLB Postseason comes to an end, or at least when the Yankees’ journey finishes. Until then, Chisholm and company will remain focused on the postseason, but the buzz around his future won’t go anywhere.

Key takeaways

• New York Yankees are facing a decision on Jazz Chisholm Jr. before free agency.
• MLB qualifying offer price is set to increase to $23.1 million next offseason.
• He previously signed a $10.2 million one-year deal to avoid arbitration last year.

Chisholm Jr. has been through the ringer all season long in 2026. As the two-time All-Star is a pending unrestricted free agent once the 2026 MLB Postseason comes to an end, Boone knows he must tread carefully with every decision that affects Chisholm Jr.

New York has seen Jazz grow upset before, and it often spells bad news for the Bronx Bombers. Thus, Boone offered a clear explanation of why he ultimately chose to give Volpe the nod over Chisholm Jr. at 2B. Based on Boone’s admission, Chisholm could be a pinch hitter in Game 1 against Boston at Yankee Stadium. Thus, all hope isn’t yet lost for Jazz.

“My expectation is that [Jazz Chisholm Jr.] will be ready to go and could play a crucial role as early as tonight,” Boone said about Chisholm Jr. despite him being benched to face the Red Sox left-handed, starting pitcher Payton Tolle in Game 1, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.

Benching Chisholm Jr. makes sense

Obviously, hindsight will always be 20/20. But on paper, sticking with Volpe at second base and having him start the game against Boston’s lefty pitcher appears to be the right decision. Not only does Volpe (right-handed batter) give New York a platoon advantage in the middle of the batting order, but he also enters the MLB Postseason in rhythm.

Chisholm Jr., on the other hand, has been in and out of the lineup ever since he returned from a 10-day IL stint with a sprained right thumb. In fact, Chisholm Jr. caught heat from Boone in his first game back, which raised questions about whether he can be trusted in defense.

Jazz is also a left-handed batter, so he’s at a disadvantage against southpaw pitchers. Not necessarily against Tolle, though. Going into Game 1, the Yankees have a lone homer against the Red Sox’s lefty starter, and guess whose bat was behind that long ball? That’s right, left-handed Chisholm Jr.

One way or the other, Boone has urged the two-time All Star to stay ready because his number might be called up. “Aaron Boone said he texted Jazz Chisholm Jr. last night, ‘Hey, you might be the most important person in the building, and we need you to be ready to go for the biggest spot potentially.‘,” as reported by Gary Phillips.

Déjà vu for Chisholm Jr. in AL Wild Card

Last year, the Yankees benched Chisholm Jr. in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card against the Red Sox, too, though that time it was left-handed ace Garrett Crochet who threw the first pitch for the visiting BoSox squad. A year later, and with free agency knocking on Chisholm’s door, the second baseman will suffer the same fate.

It worked out last year as the Yankees moved on to the ALDS after defeating the Red Sox in three games, but they did fall in Game 1, when Chisholm Jr. was benched for Amed Rosario before being brought in late in the game for only one at-bat.

Will history repeat itself? Only time will tell, and Boone will definitely take the fall if his plan backfires. As for Chisholm Jr., being benched in the postseason once again might be the detonator for his time in The Bronx.

Key takeaways

• Aaron Boone chose Anthony Volpe over Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base for Game 1.
• Chisholm returned from a sprained right thumb after a 10-day stint on the IL.
• New York defeated Boston in three games during last year’s AL Wild Card series.

Chisholm Jr., who caught heat from Boone after his first game back from the 10-day injured list, is one of the main decisions the Yankees will have to make ahead of their best-of-three series against Boston. Coming off a right thumb sprain, Chisholm Jr. has played only three MLB games since Sept. 9.

With Anthony Volpe also competing for the second-base job, Boone admitted New York is considering a platoon solution—in which Volpe (right-handed batter) starts against left-handed pitchers and Chisholm Jr. (left-handed batter) does so against righties. Chisholm, whose demeanor is one the Yankees are already familiar with, made his stance clear.

“We’ve seen it. You’ve seen how I felt about not being in games in the playoffs,” Chisholm Jr. commented on potentially missing games in the AL Wild Card series, via NY Daily News. “As a competitor, who wouldn’t be [angry]? It’s the playoffs. You want to play. [The best players should play in the postseason], that’s how I grew up. That’s what I grew up watching and seeing.”

Chisholm Jr. hopes Boone will be straightforward with him

Chisholm Jr. let Boone and New York know how he’d feel about being healthy scratched so the Yankees could start Volpe instead. He also admitted he’ll have an easier time accepting the team’s decision if he hears it directly from the manager rather than being left waiting in the dark.

“I feel like with [Boone], he will come up to me and let me know what’s going on before it’s put out there, which I always respect that out of him,” Chisholm added. “He’s always been good on that side of things.”

As praiseworthy as Chisholm’s message is, it also hides a subtle warning. If Boone isn’t careful in how he treats the two-time All-Star, he risks creating a rift in the relationship, and with Jazz becoming an unrestricted free agent after the postseason, it could be the last straw after a season in which Chisholm Jr. has been through the ringer time and again.

Chisholm Jr. missed playoff games in 2025

Facing the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card and potentially being in the midst of a platoon situation brought back tough memories for Chisholm Jr. During last year’s playoffs, Boone and the Yankees sat Chisholm Jr. and started right-handed batter Amed Rosario when Boston started left-handed ace Garrett Crochet.

Boston has already announced Payton Tolle, another southpaw pitcher, will start Game 1 at Yankee Stadium. Facing a lefty for the majority of the series opener, New York may rather play a right-handed batter (Volpe in this case) over Chisholm’s left-handed bat.

What do they say? The more things change, the more they stay the same. Chisholm Jr. can surely attest to that in consecutive AL Wild Card series against the Red Sox.

Key takeaways

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. expressed frustration over potentially missing playoff games amid a second-base platoon decision.
• Aaron Boone is considering starting right-handed hitter Anthony Volpe against Boston southpaw Payton Tolle.
• Boston previously sat the left-handed hitter in the 2025 postseason against left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet.

The reason for Boone’s disappointment was a play in the top of the seventh inning of the crucial matchup with MLB postseason stakes. The Yankees were only trailing by one run, with runners on first and third and one out, when Rays shortstop Taylor Walls connected on a bunt that fell into Fried’s range.

Luis Garcia Jr. abandoned his post at first base to chase the ball, but Chisholm Jr. never made the relay to first from second, allowing Walls a clean path to a single. Simultaneously, that confusion allowed Chandler Simpson to score a run and Ben Williamson to reach second base.

In Boone’s eyes, allowing a run wasn’t the worst part of that sequence. Instead, it was failing to record a single out that made it all unfathomable for the Yankees’ manager. In the end, it’s why Jazz got the short end of the stick.

Aaron Boone throws Jazz Chisholm Jr. under the bus

“Yeah, [Chisholm Jr.] has to be covering first [base] there. And that’s the play we work on because of the Rays all the time,” Boone admitted on Talkin’ Yanks. “We do our bunt coverages, we’re prepared for safety squeeze and last night we feel like that’s 100 per cent. Taylor Walls, in that situation, is going to put down the safety.

“If we can defend it tremendously and the bunt is not perfect you might have a chance at the plate, but the biggest thing is: let’s get an out. Especially with speed at third, it’s a tough play to defend, but we need to get an out period.“

That wasn’t the end of it, however. Boone went on to explain what he believes happened and where the root of the mistake was, as Chisholm and Garcia ended up leaving first base unattended.

Chisholm Jr. was more to blame than Garcia

While many could argue Garcia is equally to blame, Boone made it clear Chisholm’s responsibility was bigger than Garcia’s on that specific play

“It’s not a miscommunication before the play. I think Jazz read [the bunt] as right back to the pitcher and thought Garcia would slam on the brakes, but we’re playing that aggressively because we know what’s coming. Garcia is on the dead run, it’s hard for him to slam on the brakes and get back. So, we’ve got to cover that with the second baseman.”

Jazz can’t afford these mistakes before free agency

Playing in a contract year and having been through the wringer all season long, even the tiniest of errors could lead to immense consequences for Chisholm Jr. and his time with the Pinstripers. It remains to be seen what the future will bring for Jazz in MLB.

Looking ahead to the postseason, Boone can’t guarantee a plan for Chisholm Jr. ahead of the final regular-season games. Perhaps his erratic return from the 10-day IL, along with several fielding errors throughout the year, have led to this, and Boone may not be trusting Jazz completely. At least for the time being.

Of course, slip-ups are to be expected with any player coming off an IL stint, but it seems Chisholm’s leash is still shorter than that of many players in the Bronx. The spotlight is already fixed on Chisholm. For his sake, it’d be best if he avoids these mistakes before the season ends and his one-year, $10.2 million contract expires.

Key takeaways

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. failed to cover first base on a seventh-inning bunt play.
• Aaron Boone expressed frustration over the defensive mistake.
• Chisholm Jr. will become an unrestricted free agent after 2026 MLB season.

According to what was revealed on Talkin’ Yanks, Boone’s plan is to move Anthony Volpe to third base this week, while George Lombard Jr. will remain at shortstop. With the playoffs just around the corner, the Pinstripes are looking for alternatives to put themselves in the best possible position.

The Tampa Bay Rays have clinched the AL East, meaning the Yankees will have to play in the Wild Card. Now, it remains to be seen what role Chisholm Jr. will ultimately have in the Yankees’ upcoming games.

Chisholm Jr.’s performance at second base

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been a proper electric mix of speed, pop, and streaks taking over second base for the Yankees this season. Plate discipline and pure average have been a bit up and down—he’s hitting around .232 across 134 games—but he still brings serious dynamic threat to the lineup with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs, and an impressive 40 stolen bases.

While his aggressive style at the keystone has yielded some defensive bumps, his combination of elite athleticism, clutch hitting in late-game spots, and game-changing speed on the basepaths keeps him as a focal point in New York’s overall game plan.

Yankees turn their focus to what’s next

The Yankees are wrapping up the 2026 regular season right at home at Yankee Stadium with a crucial late-September push. They’re currently closing out their series against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 23 and 24, before heading straight into a big weekend division clash against the Baltimore Orioles from September 25 through September 27.

With the playoffs right around the corner, these final games are all about locking in momentum before October baseball takes over in the Bronx.

Key takeaways

• Manager Aaron Boone plans to keep Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base rather than third base.
• Anthony Volpe will shift to third base while George Lombard Jr. stays at shortstop.
• The AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays forced New York into the Wild Card.