Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s postgame quote added more infuriating nonsense to late-stage Yankees career

Jazz Chisholm Jr. had big plans for his walk year. He hoped to deliver a 50-50 season for the New York Yankees and leverage that into a decade-long contract that tops $300 million. Those lofty aspirations sum up the essence of Chisholm Jr.: great in theory, but the execution is so far off from the plan that it makes you question your sanity.

On paper, Chisholm Jr. should be one of the most electrifying players in the sport. He's got a fantastic power-speed combo and the tools that should make him a plus defender in the field. However, putting the talent into practice is often an issue.

We saw that come to the forefront against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of the ALDS. In the bottom of the first, he took a nice pick up the middle from George Lombard Jr. on a Junior Caminero ground ball and turned it into an error with a wild, off-balance throw that allowed the Rays' first run of the evening to score.

Asked after the game if he'd do it differently and simply eat the ball if given a chance to go back in time and rectify the situation, Jazz showed a stunning lack of awareness, doubling down on his flawed thought process at the time.

"I'd probably still throw it, honestly. The play that was trying to be made. I feel like I could've made an even better throw," Chisholm said.

Clearly, he didn't understand that with first and second and no outs, the most important thing he could do was secure the out and keep the runner from second scoring. That lack of understanding of the nuance of playing the game overshadows the loud tools that make him such an intriguing player.

That wasn't his only gaffe, either. He nearly threw a Chandler Simpson grounder into left field and was saved from another error by George Lombard Jr.; if the ball scooted away, it would've been the Yankees' fourth error in five plays in the opening frame. Still, the errant throw eliminated any hope of doubling up the speedy Rays outfielder. Bet he'd do it again.

Jazz Chisolm Jr. is likely shown the door by the Yankees this offseason

Remember back in April, ironically against the Rays, when Chisholm Jr. admitted he didn't know the rules on the ill-fated force play that led to a Yankees defeat? It's these sorts of lapses in focus that negate his talents.

Chisholm Jr.'s season has been a frustrating one in the batter's box as well. While he's been shockingly good in the clutch, especially by his standards, he hit just .231/.312/.399 this year. That's hardly a $30 million per year kind of performance.

While you would have loved to see him displaying the kind of razor-sharp focus required to bust out of his season long slump, he was focused on eating lollipops in the field.

At the end of the day, the lollipop became a focal point not for the absurdity of the moment, but rather for what it said about Chisholm Jr. as a player. He's not locked in, and even with all the talent in the world, that's not the kind of player the Yankees can afford to roster given their perennial World Series aspirations.

October represented one last shot for Jazz to secure a future in pinstripes. Aaron Boone essentially made him a platoon player by starting Anthony Volpe over him at second against Red Sox lefty Payton Tolle, telling you all you needed to know about how far behind the eight ball he was.

Chisholm Jr. is 2-for-9 this postseason and is just one of many Yankees to go hitless so far against Tampa. That's not great, but it's the defensive miscues that have really sealed his fate. He was given one last opportunity to prove he belonged, and he's fumbled it. It's time to move on and turn the page.

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