Yankees Rumors: Xavier Edwards, unexpected White Sox and Royals trade targets emerge to replace Jazz Chisholm Jr.

As the New York Yankees lick their wounds from yet another frustrating early playoff exit, they will have a number of concerns to address heading into the offseason. From figuring out their long-term plan at catcher to even pondering their managerial situation, there’s a lot to think about. 

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. set to become a free agent, the Yankees will also need to determine how they’d like to approach his potential departure at second base. Whether that means Anthony Volpe as the permanent replacement or a flashy trade for an established second baseman remains to be seen.  

Of course, there is also the possibility that the Yankees will extend the qualifying offer to Chisholm Jr. this offseason. Valued at over $23 million, that move could come back and handcuff them going into next season. While Chisholm Jr. was still a 3.5 fWAR player in a down year in 2026, the team runs the risk of overpaying him for limited production at the plate.   

Joel Sherman of the New York Post echoed similar sentiments this week regarding the club’s decision around the potential of a qualifying offer. Sherman offered up his thoughts on the Chisholm Jr. situation on his Pinstripe Post Podcast. 

“I think the Yankees are going to move on and not risk the possibility that, like Trent Gisham last year, he takes the qualifying offer,” Sherman said.   

Sherman pondered what the future could hold in store for the 29-year-old and even noted that Chisholm Jr. could very well sign a long-term deal with another team in free agency. He also brought up a number of very interesting players that the Yankees could target in an offseason trade in order to replace Chisholm Jr.  

If you took a look around the league, there isn't exactly a massive pool of second basemen more capable at the position than Chisholm Jr. With 13 Outs Above Average, he just ranked as the fourth best defensive second baseman in all of baseball. So if the Yankees were to target a player to fill his stylish shoes, they’d really have to swing for the fences. Getting just any player wouldn’t cut it. 

Sherman pointed to one player in particular that the Yankees have admired for a long time.

Xavier Edwards trade is Yankees' primary focus to replace Jazz Chisholm Jr. externally

“The one I will say is I know the Yankees over the years have greatly liked the Miami switch-hitter Xavier Edwards, who kind of would fit in right at second base and lead off,” added Sherman. “I think that would be a great help, but he would cost a significant amount and I assume part of that amount would be Volpe being part of whatever package they would send to Miami for Edwards.” 

While he offers nowhere the same type of power that Chisholm Jr. does, Edwards would immediately solve one problem that some Yankees fans have been begging the team to fix. Edwards is a contact hitter who knows how to hit for a high batting average. While a career .730 OPS doesn’t scream offensive threat, his low-strikeout, high-contact swing could be a lethal combination when hitting in front of power hitters like Aaron Judge and Ben Rice.   

On a similar note, Sherman also suggested that a player like Sam Antonacci of the Chicago White Sox could be another fun possibility. With the need for a starting pitcher, the upstart Southsiders could look for a trade package surrounding Elmer Rodríguez. That would certainly be a move that the Yankees could afford to make. Antonacci would be another high-contact hitter that would be interesting to see at the top of the batting order. He also brings a level of excitement that could light a fire under the Yankees. 

A third option would be Michael Massey of the Kansas City Royals. With 11 OAA in 2026, he would be the best defensive replacement for Chisholm Jr. by far. That does come with a caveat, however. In more than 1,600 career at-bats, Massey sports a lowly .250/.288/.396 slash line. But since he also puts the ball in play at a decent clip and plays superior defense, the Yankees may be willing to overlook that subpar offensive game. 

Of course, all of this is speculation at this point. We’ll get a very clear idea of what the Yankees intend to do with Chisholm Jr. just five days after the World Series concludes, which is the deadline for teams to extend their qualifying offers.

But with a number of former Yankees players calling out the team for losing track of the winning tradition, we might be in store for some additional excitement leading up to the 2027 season beyond that simple clerical work.      

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