4 second base trade options Yankees should pursue after moving Jazz Chisholm to third

For some reason, it seems that the New York Yankees are hell bent on moving the soon-to-be returning Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third base. Chisholm Jr., a natural second baseman, learned the hot corner on the fly last season after former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres refused to move off the keystone following the acquisition of Chisholm Jr. at the trade deadline.

The move is a head-scratcher for sure, as Chisholm Jr. has been a well-above-average defender at second this season, with three defensive runs saved and three outs above average while working just 251 innings at the position due to injury.

Whatever the case may be, the Yankees cannot let the trade deadline pass without acquiring another infielder. DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Pablo Reyes simply won't cut it. And while it would be nice to acquire a player with positional flexibility, in the event that the Yankees realize the error of their ways regarding Jazz, it seems likely that the second base market will be their best shot for an upgrade.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, that market seems particularly robust. At this point in the season, several teams still fancy themselves contenders, although the herd will thin as the summer approaches.

As it stands now, these four players are likely the best of the bunch that the Yankees realistically have a chance to acquire. While none are superstars, all would give the club the chance to solidify second base. which is sorely needed.

Tampa Bay Rays' Brandon Lowe would be the Yankees' best trade option, despite some hurdles

The Rays are always a hard team to pin down. The club may not be a perennial powerhouse like the Yankees or Dodgers, but they almost always find themselves in the thick of the race, despite operating on a shoestring budget.

That budget is exactly why a guy like Brandon Lowe could hit the trade market. Lowe was a much-rumored trade piece over the offseason, though unlike pitcher Jeffrey Springs, whom the Rays decided to move while making a similar salary, the club decided to hold on to Lowe ... for now.

To an extent, that makes sense. Lowe, a power-hitting second baseman with average-ish defensive ability, had been bitten by the injury bug in recent seasons, playing just 65, 109, and 107 games between 2022 and 2024, respectively. The Rays clearly could receive a bigger return if they held on and he proved he could stay healthy. So far, Lowe has played in all but five games for Tampa.

With a .246/.300/.438 line, 112 wRC+ and 11 homers through the end of May, Lowe seems like a slight bargain, given his $10.5 million salary and a nearly as reasonable $11.5 million club option for next season. However, he is the highest-paid Ray in 2025, seemingly giving them renewed motivation to make a deal as long as he continues to stay healthy.

Here's where things get complicated, though. The Rays probably still fancy themselves as contenders sitting a 30-29, tucked just behind the red hot Blue Jays in the AL East and still in prime position in a wide-open American League. With that said, it isn't unheard of for the Rays to sell off expensive veterans at the deadline while still trying to compete. In Lowe's case, the club also has some younger, cheaper replacements that are ready to go.

The bigger issue is whether or not they'd be willing to deal with the Yankees, whom they are chasing for the division crown. Furthermore, if they are, would the Yankees be willing to meet their price?

There are some other fit issues for Lowe with the Yankees. First, he'd be another lefty bat joining an already lefty-heavy lineup that features regulars Austin Wells and Cody Bellinger, as well as key contributors like Trent Grisham and Ben Rice. Furthermore, he's pretty much a second baseman only, with some very limited experience at first and in the outfield, giving the Yankees no off-ramp for their Jazz-to-third decision.

Lastly, Lowe is a bit strikeout-prone with a 27.2% career K-rate. Loading up on high-strikeout sluggers has been something that's bitten the Yankees in the past, and they may prefer a more contact-oriented option now.

Still, offensively, Lowe is likely the best option that may become available, and given the offensive ineptitude of the Bombers' internal options at second, Lowe still stands as the most enticing.