The New York Yankees could be making several changes as the club continues its standoff with star Cody Bellinger as the MLB rumors heat up amid free agency. There is another Yankees player who could be in danger of being traded depending on the team’s upcoming moves in free agency.
The Yankees are one of several teams being consistently linked to Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette. If the Yankees are able to land Bichette, the Yankees may be more inclined to make additional changes.
This potential move puts the future of Jazz Chisholm in doubt. MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan believes that if the Yankees sign Bichette, Chisholm’s days in Gotham City could be numbered.
“There isn’t an obvious fit for Bichette in New York’s infield beyond a short-term opening at shortstop, with Anthony Volpe slated to miss Opening Day after undergoing left shoulder surgery,” Harrigan detailed in a January 13, 2026, story titled, “3 potential effects if Yankees were to sign Bichette.” “That said, second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been floated as a trade candidate as he enters his walk year.
“Adding Bichette to the mix would raise more questions about Chisholm’s future with the organization and put pressure on the club to trade the pending free agent before Spring Training, aiming to avoid the type of camp distractions the Red Sox experienced with Rafael Devers after signing Alex Bregman last February.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Yankees rumors.
Yankees Rumors: If New York Signs Blue Jays SS Bo Bichette, the Team Could Trade All-Star Jazz Chisholm
The Bichette buzz has been paired with the Yankees’ inability to sign Bellinger to a long-term contract. New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees are looking more closely at Bichette as an alternative to re-signing Bellinger.
“The Yankees and No. 1 target Cody Bellinger have exchanged multiple proposals but haven’t closed the gap quite enough to shut off other possibilities — either for Bellinger or the Yankees, who are now looking more seriously at superstar infielder Bo Bichette,” Heyman wrote in a January 8, story titled, “Yankees’ Bo Bichette interest intensifies as they face gap with Cody Bellinger.”
“… The Yankees’ dalliance with Bichette is interesting in that they have no obvious current infield opening beyond shortstop to start the year, with Anthony Volpe out early following shoulder surgery, and a potential first base platoon. It’s also possible Bichette could play second if the Yankees trade All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr., a free agent after 2026 being dangled (nothing’s known imminent there).”
Blue Jays Star Bo Bichette Is Projected to Land $186 Million Deal Amid MLB Free Agency
For now, Chisholm’s job is safe in New York, but things could change in the coming weeks if the Yankees pivot in MLB free agency. The 2-time All-Star is on a one-year, $10.2 million contract following an arbitration agreement.
Bichette would come with a much more expensive price tag, but this money would likely come from the deal initially pegged for Bellinger. Spotrac projects that Bichette’s market value is an eight-year, $186.4 million contract.
Even if Bichette is not signed, Chisholm is a potential trade candidate for the Yankees. This is especially true given Chisholm is not signed to a long-term deal.
Yankees May Cut Ties With 2-Time All-Star for Projected $186 Million Elite Slugger