The New York Yankees enjoyed a boost to their infield as Jazz Chisholm Jr. returned from the injured list to slug a homer against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Chisholm was slotted at third base despite opening the year at his natural position, second base, to accommodate teammate DJ LeMahieu, who had recently returned from his own injury. When Chisholm began his rehab stint in the minors, the Yankees asked him to move to third base to prepare and he made a strong pronouncement in response.
“I just want to win,” he said, per SNY. “I want a ring.”
In addition to allowing LeMahieu to stick at second base, Chisholm’s flexibility allows the Yankees to consider trade upgrades at second or at third base. And that could be the key to bringing in star second baseman Brandon Lowe from the division rival Tampa Bay Rays.
“Lowe could come in and make an impact at second base, which would allow Chisholm to move back over to third base, which is where he played after the Yankees traded for him and made a run to the World Series last year,” Bailey Bassett wrote for ClutchPoints. “The Tampa Bay Rays’ star has regressed since his 2019 All-Star appearance and 2021 39-home run season, but he would still be an upgrade to New York’s lineup.”
Lowe seems likely to be one of the best infield options available on the trade block with the Rays poised for another deadline as sellers. And even as his offense dips from his peak seasons, he’d mark a significant boost over LeMahieu.
Perhaps most importantly, the Yankees wouldn’t have to give up much prospect capital to add him. Bassett proposed a trade that would see the Yankees deal their No. 7 prospect Chase Hampton and their No. 10 prospect Cam Schlittler to the Rays in exchange for Lowe.
With Chilsholm and the rest of the team dead-set on winning a ring this year, it could be the kind of move the Yankees pursue in a few weeks.
