Yankees Infield 'One Injury Away From Devastation' Warns New York MLB Analyst

By

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page
Contributing Sports Writer
Trust Project Icon Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member

🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

When the New York Yankees failed to even make an offer to retain seven-year second baseman Gleyber Torres, who signed a one-year, $15 million free agent deal with the Detroit Tigers in late December, the obvious expectation was general manager Brian Cashman would acquire a new infielder to fill the spot now left vacant.

Over the course of the offseason, the Yankees were linked to a range of candidates, including former San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe, and Whit Merrifield, who divided 2024 between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies.

New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisolm Jr.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 19: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees throws to first base in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians during Game Five of the American League Championship Series... Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

How serious, if at all, the Yankees were about any of those candidates remains unclear. What is clear is that the offseason is now over, spring training is underway and the Yankees have done nothing to replace Torres.

That is a mistake for which the Yankees may end up paying dearly, according to Alexander Wilson, founder of New York-centric site Empire Sports Media. Writing in the publication on Friday, Wilson warned the Yankees that they are "one injury away from devastation in the infield."

The problem is, it now appears the Yankees will fill the second base position with Jazz Chisolm Jr., who was acquired by New York in a trade deadline deal with the Miami Marlins last year to play third base, though the 27-year-old native of Nassau, Bahamas, had played only outfield, second base and shortstop previously.

More MLB: Red Sox Urged to Trade For $10 Million Reliever as Kenley Jansen Replacement

While moving Chisolm back to second would seem to be an improvement, the problem is not as much his fielding ability as his availability. In his five-year career, the injury-prone Chisolm has played more than 100 games only twice. In 2024 he appeared in 147 games between his two teams, a career high.

"Prior to that, injuries had been a recurring issue, limiting his availability and consistency," Wilson wrote. "The Yankees are banking on his ability to replicate last year's durability, but if Chisholm misses time, their infield picture becomes murky fast."

Additionally, with Chisolm shifting back to second, the Yankees are left with a patchwork situation at third base, with DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera all battling for time there.

"If an injury occurs at either second or third, the Yankees would be forced to scramble for solutions, and the internal options don't inspire much confidence," Wilson wrote.

More MLB: Cubs Favored To Land $64 Million Superstar In Wild Trade With Archrival

His solution? Brendan Rodgers, the former Colorado Rockies second baseman who was non-tendered by the Denver-based team despite being drafted No. 3 overall by the Rockies in 2015.

Rodgers, 28, remains a free agent and though Spotrac projects his market worth at $56.4 million over four years, given that he was cut by the Rockies in November and has failed to catch on with any other team, he could likely be acquired for significantly less.

More MLB: Nolan Arenado Could Become Newest Member of Angels Under This Framework

Request Reprint & Licensing Submit Correction View Editorial & AI Guidelines

Top stories

About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more