Chisholm is coming off a frustrating 2026 campaign with the Yankees, slashing just .231/.312/.711 across 137 regular-season games. Despite the down year, the dynamic 28-year-old enters free agency with considerable intrigue, and a robust market of potential suitors is already taking shape for 2027.

Rumors have linked Chisholm to five franchises in search of an upgrade at second base: the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners. Among them, the Giants stand out as a unique fit where the former Yankee could split time between middle-infield duties and center field.

Down the stretch, Chisholm also found himself on the receiving end of boos from the Yankee Stadium crowd as his struggles deepened, closing a turbulent chapter in the Bronx that fell well short of expectations.

Breaking down Chisholm’s top potential landing spots

As front offices weigh the risk and upside, Chisholm offers clear bounce-back potential in the right offensive environment. Here is how he fits with each of the five rumored suitors:

• Padres (Reported Frontrunner): San Diego suffered severe drop-offs in production and defensive range at second base in 2026. With Ty France hitting the open market, the Padres could permanently slide Jake Cronenworth to first base, clearing an everyday opening at second for Chisholm.
• Giants: Buster Posey’s front office has made athleticism, up-the-middle defense, and dynamic baserunning top priorities. San Francisco lacked power from both second base and center field all season, areas where Chisholm provides immediate dual-position value.
• Red Sox: Boston has its outfield and third base locked down, but second base remains a glaring revolving door. Fenway Park’s short right-field porch is tailor-made for Chisholm’s left-handed pull profile, which could quickly resurrect his 25-homer pop.
• Tigers: Coming off a deep October run built on dominant pitching, Detroit’s biggest roster hole remains consistent run production and athleticism around the infield.
• Mariners: Seattle has spent multiple winters hunting for an everyday infielder with extra-base punch. While swing-and-miss tendencies are risky at T-Mobile Park, Chisholm’s plus glove and 40-steal wheels would give the Mariners an immediate boost in run prevention and dynamic baserunning.

Projecting Chisholm’s next contract

While Chisholm’s camp will likely target a three-to-four-year commitment, the lack of a qualifying offer and his recent offensive slump could push him toward a shorter bridge deal designed to re-establish his market value.

Industry evaluators see two realistic contractual avenues:

• A short-term “pillow” deal: A one- or two-year contract carrying an average annual value (AAV) between $14 million and $16 million, equipped with a player opt-out after Year 1 to let him test the market again ahead of his age-30 season.
• A multi-year commitment: A three-to-four-year guarantee in the $13 million to $15 million AAV range, where Chisholm accepts a slightly lower annual rate in exchange for long-term security, likely structured with club options or buyouts.

Key takeaways

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. did not receive a qualifying offer from the New York Yankees.
• Chisholm Jr. slashed .231/.312/.711 across 137 regular-season games in 2026.
• Five MLB franchises were linked to Jazz Chisholm Jr. as potential suitors.

Garcia has proved to be a great addition to the lineup since the Yankees acquired him from the Washington Nationals before the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline. Having played a big role at first base, Garcia could be in line for an increased workload, and Boone didn’t hesitate to discuss that possibility.

“Aaron Boone says it’s possible Luis Garcia Jr. gets some run at second base next year, and he didn’t rule out third base as an option either,” as reported by Talkin’ Yanks on X.

Chisholm Jr. may be out of a roster spot

Garcia’s potential position change begs the question: what would happen to Chisholm Jr. in that scenario? One can only assume, as a report predicts Chisholm will leave the Yankees, that the Pinstripers are planning for a tomorrow in which Jazz no longer dons the pinstriped uniform.

In more ways than one, the 2026 MLB season left the writing on the wall. For Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the fact that the Yankees benched Chisholm Jr. in an elimination game in the American League Division Series (ALDS) might be reason enough for fans to look no further. The die seems cast.

Moreover, Boone and Chisholm Jr. had their fair share of tense moments throughout the season, and it might have been one too many.

Boone on Chisholm’s lollipop moment

Addressing the culture inside the Yankees’ clubhouse, Boone was asked about a past incident involving Jazz, when he rushed onto the field still chewing on a lollipop. That was back in June, but Boone was still vivid in his recollection of the incident in October, just as he had been when it happened.

“Yeah, it bothered me. That was one of those things that I called out from this set that bothered me. I’ve also said that nothing is perfect, but as a whole, we had a lot of the right ingredients,” Boone admitted during his end-of-season press conference, via Talkin’ Yanks. “Doesn’t mean we didn’t have individual things pop up, doesn’t mean it’s a perfect room by any means. When those things do come up, I try to address them.”

Boone avoids throwing shade at Chisholm Jr.

Even though it appears plain to see that the relationship between New York and Chisholm Jr. is entering its final hours, Boone steered clear of adding insult to injury.

“That’s not leadership. That’s me giving red meat to people that want to be upset with somebody,” Boone said, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, explaining why he chooses not to publicly call out players.

There were several times throughout the 2026 season when Boone could’ve thrown Jazz and other players into the fans’ line of fire, but he chose not to. As Chisholm Jr. enters a crucial stage in his career and may soon face endless, tiring negotiations to establish his value to a new team in free agency, Boone made sure not to throw dirt on him. He may not write a letter of recommendation, but Boone won’t cross that line, either.

Key takeaways

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. headlines the list of New York Yankees free agents in 2027.
• Luis Garcia Jr. could potentially play second or third base for New York next year.
• Aaron Boone admitted he was bothered when Jazz Chisholm Jr. ran onto the field chewing a lollipop.

With reports suggesting the Yankees have given up on Chisholm Jr. and are ready to move on, a prediction from around the league hints at where Jazz could play next. According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, Chisholm Jr. could sign with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason.

The MLB‘s overlooked brother in the City of Angels has recently been purchased by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which is ready to make a splash and turn the tide. Perhaps landing a free agent like Chisholm Jr. is exactly the kind of move the Angels need to make a statement right away.

As Hal Steinbrenner pointed blaming fingers at the Yankees’ position players for the 2026 postseason collapse, it’s hard to imagine Chisholm Jr. was exempt from criticism, and it might signal the end of the line for him.

NY Yankees face free agency decision

Chisholm Jr. isn’t the only Yankee set to become a free agent in 2027, but he might be the biggest name on the list and, as a result, raise the biggest question for the Bronx Bombers. If New York is convinced it needs Jazz back, it could extend a qualifying offer to him.

However, based on the buzz and Chisholm Jr.’s head-scratching production in 2026, it’s plain to see the Yankees have their fair share of doubts about whether the second baseman should stay in town. If they don’t extend Chisholm Jr. a qualifying offer, which will come at a steep price (around $23 million), the Yankees could try to re-sign him in free agency, but it’s uncertain whether they will have much luck going that route.

It wouldn’t be New York’s first rodeo, as the team has dealt with similar situations before, including Cody Bellinger’s drama last offseason. However, the Bronx Bombers have also learned their lessons and may realize that this kind of drama sooner or later comes back around to collect its due.

Chisholm Jr. could head to free agency

As for Chisholm, it’s clear the 2026 season, as well as the drama prior to the start of the campaign when he avoided arbitration, left its mark. As big an honor as it is to don the pinstripes and NY cap, there comes a point when Chisholm may have to prioritize himself. The Angels, or any other suitor in free agency, may give him a chance at a clean slate, and the two-time All-Star might be wise to take it.

Of course, his rough contract year in The Bronx has caused much of his value to plummet, so when he next signs on the dotted line, the total figure may not be anywhere close to what he once imagined.

Key takeaways

• Zach Buckley predicts Jazz Chisholm Jr. could sign with the Los Angeles Angels.
• New York Yankees could extend a $23 million qualifying offer to Jazz Chisholm Jr.
• Kroenke Sports & Entertainment recently purchased the Los Angeles Angels.

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.