The New York Yankees were in desperate need of a spark.
After a 50-22 start that had their fans dreaming of another World Series parade, the Yankees’ hitting and pitching shut down. In a span of six weeks, they lost 23 of 34 games, and the July 30 trade deadline was fast approaching.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman hit the right buttons on July 27 by trading three prospects for Miami Marlins infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., whose charismatic demeanor, flashy style and exciting brand of baseball lit a fire within the stagnant Bronx Bombers.
As the face of the Marlins as a 2022 All-Star, Chisholm, 26, has been thrust into New York’s bright lights, which has further magnified his talent.
Will Chisholm be the catalyst for a playoff push in the Bronx? If his first week is any indication of the impact he could have on the Yankees, the answer is a resounding yes.
Chisholm posted consecutive two homer games while hitting .300 with eight RBIs. New York swept the series in Boston and swept Philadelphia in three games.
“Honestly, it’s a good place for him,” said Don Mattingly, who managed Chisholm with the Marlins from 2020-22. told the New York Post”I think he likes the spotlight. I think it suits him better. (Aaron) Judge and the guys around him — he’s a really good player.”
Chisholm has not only performed well offensively in his new home, but he has also impressed manager Aaron Boone with his skill at third base, a position he had never played in the major leagues.
“If you didn’t know much, you’d say Jazz Chisholm is one of the best defenders in the league,” Boone told MLB Network Radio,
Boone also reported that Chisholm had never lacked self-confidence, recently telling him, “‘Man, I think I was born to play third base.'”
In control of the team through 2026, Chisholm appears to have the guts to thrive in one of baseball’s toughest cities, unlike many others who have come before him.
He displayed his playful side in his introductory press conference before his first home game, wearing a T-shirt with “314” written on the front, a reference to the small porch located in right field at Yankee Stadium.
“I think it’s going to be pretty funny,” he told reporters. “I don’t think I’ve hit all of my home runs down the right field line. Most of my home runs are actually from right-center field to center field. So I’m just joking around with the 314 shirt, obviously.”
Chisholm reached the postseason twice with the Marlins, but with only one playoff series win, he is motivated to be a key player in the Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Series title.
“It’s more about playing — playing for championships, playing to get rings and making other guys in the clubhouse believe we can get rings, too,” he said. “It’s more exciting to play with the guys I’m playing with right now, like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, who can push me to be at my best.”
