Yankees linked to 29-HR Jazz Chisholm Jr. replacement in free agency
Yankees linked to 29-HR Jazz Chisholm Jr. replacement in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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This upcoming offseason, the New York Yankees are going to have some work to do, especially when it comes to figuring out their infield conundrum.
The left side at shortstop and third base is an issue, but with Jazz Chisholm Jr. set to become a free agent, the second base spot is also a problem. But instead of re-signing Chisholm, the Yankees could look for a replacement.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports linked the Yankees as a potential landing spot for one 29-homer free-agent second baseman who could replace Chisholm. This veteran slugger is Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star Brandon Lowe.
Yankees linked to Brandon Lowe as potential Jazz Chisholm Jr. replacement
“One of only 16 players with a 100 OPS+ every season since 2018, Lowe is a middle infielder with 30-homer power,” Axisa writes. “…The team that signs Lowe will be the team that believes most in his defensive improvement this year.”
Lowe has not been a below-average hitter in nearly a decade. Plus, his recent defensive improvement has made him a lot more intriguing for many teams.
Axisa identified two teams that could make sense as landing spots for Lowe this upcoming offseason: “Super early possible landing spots: Pirates, Yankees.”
Chisholm is a good player, but someone like Lowe has a real chance to be a difference-maker for the Yankees if they add his bat to their lineup.
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This season he has posted 4.5 bWAR with 29 homers and a .258 batting average with an .805 OPS. His 116 OPS+ is nothing overly impressive, but it’s a good-enough mark that he’d be an appealing target this winter in free agency.
With Chisholm hitting the open market after the 2026 season, the Yankees might need to be in the market for his replacement if he signs elsewhere.
Lowe would be one of the best options they could pursue, as his power is a bit more appealing than someone like Luis Arraez, who, while the NL’s batting average leader, doesn’t hit for power.
Axisa linking the Yankees to Lowe is a very interesting fit, as the left-handed hitting second baseman would fill the offensive void if Chisholm leaves, or if the Yankees want to shake things up at second base.
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