Amidst a surplus of outfielders on the New York Yankees roster, Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was recently acquired from the Miami Marlins, has expressed his willingness to play third base for the team. Despite primarily playing second base for the Marlins, Chisholm moved to center field last season, showcasing his versatility on the field. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has acknowledged the need for Chisholm to learn how to play third base, with the potential of him starting at that position as early as Monday.
Chisholm’s positive attitude towards playing a new position is evident in his statement, “I could go and play anywhere and help my team win.” He views the opportunity to contribute to a winning team like the Yankees as a privilege and is ready to take on the challenge of transitioning to third base to aid the team in their pursuit of success.
On the other hand, Gleyber Torres, the current second baseman for the Yankees, did not seem as open to the idea of shifting to third base. Despite committing the most errors among all second basemen in the major leagues this season, Torres maintained his stance as a second baseman, stating, “I’m a second baseman, so I play second.”
Torres, who is in the final year of his contract with the Yankees, has limited experience at third base, having only played the position briefly in the minor leagues back in 2018. Although he expressed his disapproval of the potential move, Torres did acknowledge that he had discussions with Boone regarding the matter.
Manager Aaron Boone admitted his hesitance in slotting Torres at third base due to his lack of experience at the position. He highlighted Chisholm’s versatility as a defender, citing his experience playing shortstop along with second base for the Marlins. Boone emphasized the importance of having Chisholm start working at third base to assess his fit for the position.
Boone’s strategic approach to the situation involves experimenting with different players at various positions to optimize the team’s defensive capabilities. Given Chisholm’s background as an infielder and his eagerness to take on new challenges, he could potentially become a regular starter in the infield for the Yankees in the coming weeks.
Implications for the Yankees Lineup
With the return of Giancarlo Stanton from the injured list looming, the Yankees face the challenge of fitting all their key outfielders into the lineup effectively. Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Alex Verdugo already occupy spots in the outfield and designated hitter rotation, leaving little room for additional players.
Chisholm’s potential transition to third base could provide the Yankees with a solution to their roster conundrum, especially with DJ LeMahieu struggling at the position. Working closely with infield coach Travis Chapman, Chisholm aims to prove his capabilities as a reliable infielder for the team.
The New York Yankees are undergoing a period of transition and experimentation with player positions in response to their surplus of outfielders. While Chisholm embraces the opportunity to play third base, Torres remains reluctant to make the switch. Manager Aaron Boone’s decisions will play a crucial role in determining the team’s defensive alignment and overall success on the field.
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