Yankees reportedly finalizing blockbuster trade for controversial Marlins star

Despite reported concerns about his potential fit inside their clubhouse, the New York Yankees still saw fit to shake up the MLB trade deadline with a deal for Jazz Chisholm and his outsized personality.

According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, the Yankees were reportedly finalizing a trade for Chisholm on Saturday afternoon, following a successful audition in the Marlins' competitive series with the Baltimore Orioles, which wrapped on Thursday.

In that setting, Chisholm starred, going 3-for-13 with a pair of doubles and several defensive sparklers. At his best, he's an igniter on the base paths. At his worse, he's a league-average bat with a reputation for malfeasance. His 100 OPS+ last year and 101 mark thus far in 2024 indicates that he's either looking for a brighter stage, or his true talent is simply somewhere between "fine" and "shrug".

Yankees trade for Marlins' Jazz Chisholm: Instant Reaction and Trade Package

As for the return package, Marlins insider Craig Mish indicates the Yankees will send three prospects in return, including catcher Agustin Ramirez, a top-30 name on helium alert. Ramirez has 20 homers and 69 RBI in the high minors, and scouts love his gargantuan exit velocities, but the emergence of Austin Wells had somewhat closed his door in the Bronx over the past month.

Expect other Rule 5 eligible Yankees names to join this trade (Jared Serna? Pitching?) in exchange for an electric personality who might thrive in the Bronx, but might itch his teammates' skin down the stretch, too (edit: according to reports, Serna is in the deal, as we speculated, as is FCL player Abrahan Ramirez). Getting Chisholm in town in time for Sunday Night Baseball at Fenway Park would seem to be a wise idea.

Now, the largest looming question is how this trade will affect the rest of the Yankees' lineup. Chisholm reportedly prefers to return to the infield, and teams that were interested in acquiring him asked in recent weeks to see him shifted to second base. Does this mean Gleyber Torres is on the outs? What about DJ LeMahieu? Chisholm, under control through 2026, will have plenty of time to leave an outsized imprint on the Yankees' roster.