The Yankees must pursue a trade that lets Jazz Chisholm Jr. return to second base.
The New York Yankees’ 2025 season is beginning to fall apart, and much of the blame falls on the mismanaged infield — particularly Jazz Chisholm Jr. being stuck at third base. Chisholm, who recently stated that “everyone” knows he’s a natural second baseman, continues to be played out of position by manager Aaron Boone. This decision is aimed at keeping DJ LeMahieu at second, but it’s clearly hurting the team’s defense.
Chisholm is doing his best at third base, but it’s evident the position doesn’t suit him. He struggles with hard-hit balls and lacks the soft hands typical of a seasoned third baseman. Meanwhile, LeMahieu’s play at second has deteriorated significantly. No longer the Gold Glove defender he once was, he now lacks the mobility to cover ground in the middle infield. The result: opponents are batting .310 when LeMahieu plays second and Chisholm third. That average drops to .191 when Chisholm is back at second and either Oswald Peraza or Oswaldo Cabrera takes third.
The solution is obvious — the Yankees need to trade for a capable third baseman so Chisholm can return to second base full-time. Here are three trade options the front office should consider:
1. Eugenio Suárez
Suárez is having a stellar season, hitting 26 home runs and positioning himself as a top rental candidate. The Diamondbacks will demand a hefty return, but Suárez’s power and solid glove would immediately strengthen the Yankees’ lineup and provide protection for Aaron Judge.
2. Luis Rengifo
Rengifo isn’t as established at third but brings versatility, able to cover second and shortstop as well. His offensive numbers are down this year, hitting just .233 after a .300 season in 2024, but his speed and defensive agility would be an upgrade over LeMahieu. He’s also likely a more affordable trade target than Suárez.
3. Nolan Arenado
Arenado may no longer be an elite slugger, but he remains a dependable defender at third and has hit 10 homers this season. With three years left on a large contract, he might scare off some teams — but the Yankees could acquire him cheaply if the Cardinals are eager to offload his salary. He’s not a long-term fix, but he could help stabilize the infield in the short term.
In the end, if the Yankees want to salvage their 2025 season, the answer starts with getting Chisholm back to second — and that means fixing third base, fast.
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