Following the departure of Juan Soto, the New York Yankees will rely on a mix of new additions and returning players to step up in 2025. Key free agent signings like Paul Goldschmidt, Max Fried, and Cody Bellinger are expected to make significant contributions, while young stars such as shortstop Anthony Volpe and second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be counted on to take their games to the next level.
Both Volpe and Chisholm showed flashes of offensive potential during last season’s World Series run, but their defense has recently become a talking point. After the Yankees’ 7-7 tie against the Philadelphia Phillies in Grapefruit League action on Thursday, Chisholm made a bold prediction about the team’s infield defense, even as questions linger about the third base position.
“I think we could be the best shortstop-second baseman duo in the league, definitely defensively,” Chisholm told reporters, per MLB’s Bryan Hoch. “And I think we’re probably going to turn the most double plays in the league, too. That would be my prediction for us.”
Hoch noted that achieving this would be a tall order, as the Yankees ranked 23rd in the majors last season with just 112 double plays turned.
Volpe and Chisholm are locked in as the Yankees’ Opening Day starters up the middle, but third base remains a question mark. DJ LeMahieu, who has struggled with injuries, carries a $15 million salary, while Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza are the other primary candidates for the role as March begins.
The Yankees have also been loosely linked to a potential trade for St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado, but that possibility seems unlikely, as the 33-year-old, who has a no-trade clause, has returned to Cardinals camp.
Chisholm briefly played third base after joining the Yankees at the 2024 trade deadline, but the departure of Gleyber Torres to Detroit has allowed him to return to his natural position at second base, where he previously excelled with the Miami Marlins.
With one month left before the 2025 regular season begins on March 27, the Yankees will need to finalize their plans at third base to solidify their infield.
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