Jazz Chisholm Jr. told the world he was going for 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases this season, but let’s be real, that dream is basically done. The Yankees second baseman is an impending free agent, and while he’s still a super talented guy, his 2026 performance just feels like a major letdown. It’s looking like he might be forced to accept a one-year qualifying offer from the Yankees, or else he can probably kiss that massive contract he was chasing goodbye.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently ranked Chisholm as one of the top 10 free agents for the upcoming offseason, which sounds great on paper. Feinsand also pointed out that Chisholm is still in his 20s, a huge plus when you’re looking for a long-term deal. But then you hear Feinsand’s take on the Yankees’ qualifying offer: “The Yankees could also extend a qualifying offer to Chisholm, one he might consider accepting given his down season.” Ouch. That stings, especially when you set such sky-high goals at the start of the year. Nobody wants to leave money on the table, but a down year changes everything for an impending free agent.
Chisholm has said himself he loves playing for the Yankees. So, the question is, do the Yankees love having him? You’d think they’d have some interest in bringing back a left-handed hitter with his talent, because there just aren’t many second basemen like him out there. But the New York front office has gotta be looking hard at his increased strikeout percentage and what’s been called a “lack of focus on the basepaths.” Those are real concerns when you’re talking big money and long-term commitments. It’s a tough spot for Chisholm, a two-time All-Star facing a contract decision driven by a season that didn’t hit anywhere near his personal mark. It’s a reminder that even the biggest stars can have seasons that change their entire financial outlook. We’ve seen crazy stats from guys, both good and bad. Heck, over at T-Mobile Park, our own Cal Raleigh is on track to hit the fewest home runs after a 60-plus homer season in MLB history. That’s a different kind of history, but history nonetheless!
This offseason, all eyes will be on what Chisholm decides. Does he take the one-year deal, bet on himself, and try to bounce back strong next season, or does he test a free agent market that might not value him as highly as he’d hoped? It’s a high-stakes game for his future, and whatever he chooses will set the tone for what kind of contract he can realistically expect.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply