It is no secret that Yankees veteran infielder Gleyber Torres is having a difficult 2024 season. Recently benched for lackluster performance, Torres is slated to return to the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
However, his season statistics over 80 games—a batting average of just .215 with an OBP of .294 and a slugging percentage of .333—are less than stellar. With Giancarlo Stanton currently on the injured list, the Yankees are in dire need of their veterans, particularly Torres, to step up.
Potential Trade Scenarios: Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the Radar
Should Torres continue to falter as the late July trade deadline approaches, General Manager Brian Cashman may consider options to replace him.
One potential target is Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the Miami Marlins. Chisholm, set to be a free agent in 2027, is currently enjoying a solid campaign with a .260 batting average, 10 homers, and 37 RBIs, alongside a 111 wRC+. His dynamic presence on the bases, highlighted by his ranking in the 84th percentile for sprint speed, could inject much-needed athleticism into the Yankees’ lineup.
Chisholm’s Fit with the Yankees
Despite his aggressive approach at the plate sometimes being a detriment—evidenced by his 34th percentile chase rate and 25th percentile whiff rate—Chisholm’s potential has not been fully realized. His ability to barrel the ball, ranking in the 83rd percentile, shows his untapped power. Moreover, Chisholm’s versatility extends beyond the infield as he is also capable of playing centerfield, offering additional strategic options for the Yankees.
Potential Trade Package and Prospects
The acquisition cost for a player like Chisholm won’t be trivial. Jim Bowden of The Athletic suggests a trade package centered around Will Warren could be a starting point.
“For Chisholm, they’d be seeking a package centered around right-hander Will Warren and a power bat like Everson Pereira with center fielder Jace Avina as the final piece.”
Warren, a 25-year-old pitcher, has a 6.53 ERA over 70.1 innings at Triple-A Scranton this year, facing some regression from his previous stellar performance. The suggested package also includes Everson Pereira, a 23-year-old outfielder recovering from a UCL injury and set for Tommy John surgery and Jace Avina, a promising 21-year-old currently at High-A Hudson Valley.
Strategic Decisions Ahead for the Yankees
This trade could be a formidable move for the Yankees, offering them a player who can immediately impact the team in multiple areas. Such a trade would help alleviate some of the performance gaps caused by Torres’s struggles.
- The Yankees’ batting order is about to look a lot different without Juan Soto
- The Yankees might need to cut recently signed bullpen arm
- Yankees’ rookie catcher could be an offensive game-changer
Additionally, the Yankees might then consider benching Torres or exploring trade options to move him for pitching, allowing another team to gamble on his potential recovery and extension on a more favorable deal after a challenging season.