The New York Yankees’ season ended with a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series, shifting focus in the Bronx to how the club can strengthen its roster for 2027 and avoid extending a World Series drought that would become the longest since the franchise’s first title in 1923.
With free agency approaching for second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., whose production at the plate and on the bases has been valuable, attention has turned to possible external additions that could address offensive needs exposed during the postseason without Aaron Judge.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post has floated a trade concept that would bring Chicago White Sox rookie Sam Antonacci to New York in exchange for pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez.
The idea remains speculative, yet it arrives as the Yankees evaluate whether to extend a qualifying offer to Chisholm or move on.
“I think the Yankees are going to move on and not risk the possibility that, like Trent Grisham last year, he takes the qualifying offer,” Sherman said on his Pinstripe Post podcast. That offer would exceed $23 million.
Antonacci, 23, posted a .277/.370/.396 line with eight home runs and 20 stolen bases across 140 games in his first full major-league season.
He drew 43 walks, struck out 82 times, and absorbed a team-record 29 hit-by-pitches in 557 plate appearances.
Primarily a left fielder, he also appeared in 32 games at second base.
Born in Springfield, Illinois, he was selected by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 2024 draft out of Coastal Carolina and made his debut on April 15 after a rapid ascent. He also represented Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
By comparison, Chisholm hit .231/.312/.399 with 19 home runs and 41 stolen bases in 2026 while ranking among the top second basemen in outs above average.
Antonacci offers more contact and on-base ability; Chisholm supplies greater power and speed.
Rodríguez, acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the December 2024 deal that sent Carlos Narváez to Boston, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 2 prospect and their top pitcher.
He went 8-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 106⅓ innings at Triple-A before making his major-league debut on April 29 and posting a 5.40 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 16 walks over six starts
Sherman has also mentioned Miami’s Xavier Edwards and Kansas City’s Michael Massey as potential second-base alternatives.
The qualifying-offer deadline, which falls five days after the World Series, will clarify the Yankees’ stance on Chisholm and help shape whether any such trade discussion advances.
