New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays (Image via Imagn) The New York Yankees are once again at the center of major offseason speculation, but a new trade prediction from The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has raised eyebrows across the league. The proposal involves acquiring Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte, a move that would trigger a defensive shuffle and force Jazz Chisholm Jr. into a new role at third base. It’s a scenario that looks intriguing on paper, but its practical fit for the Yankees is far from clear.
Latest Trade Projection that the New York Yankees are Involved In
Bowden’s prediction outlines a deal in which the Yankees would land Ketel Marte in exchange for right-handed pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and second baseman Roderick Arias. As he stated, the projection sees the “Yankees acquire second baseman Ketel Marte from the Diamondbacks for right-hander pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and second baseman Roderick Arias.” (H/t: Sporting News)This hypothetical trade immediately raises questions about infield alignment, prompting Bowden’s suggestion that New York would shift Chisholm to third base to accommodate Marte at second.
Why the Proposed Infield Alignment Is Complicated
Chisholm has experience at third base, but second remains his strongest defensive position. Moving him across the diamond would likely weaken the club defensively, even if the lineup becomes more potent.Key Defensive Considerations • Chisholm is a significantly stronger defender at second base than at third. • Marte is a proven hitter and capable defender at second, but the Yankees already have a natural fit at that position in Chisholm. • The resulting infield could present more defensive challenges than solutions.Projected Infield AlignmentHere’s how the infield would look under Bowden’s proposed structure:Position PlayerFirst Base Ben RiceSecond Base Ketel MarteThird Base Jazz Chisholm Jr.Shortstop Anthony Volpe / Jose CaballeroOffensively, that group offers upside, especially with Marte’s 2025 production that includes a .283 average and .893 OPS. However, the defensive question marks make the scenario less appealing for a team that values stability up the middle.Why the Trade Feels UnlikelyWhile acquiring a player of Marte’s caliber would normally be a slam-dunk consideration for the Yankees, the fit is unusual. Chisholm’s role becomes muddled, and the ripple effects defensively overshadow the offensive boost.Bowden’s own proposal acknowledges that the move is unconventional, noting that “New York then moves Jazz Chisholm to third base and plays Marte at second.” It’s an arrangement that might work on paper but seems unlikely to unfold in real-world roster construction.What This Means for the Yankees’ Offseason OutlookThe Yankees are routinely connected to star talent such as Cody Bellinger, Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Tarik Skubal, and Paul Skenes as they explore upgrades across the roster. Many of those rumored fits are more aligned with actual positional needs. Compared to those, the Marte–Chisholm shuffle stands out as one of the more puzzling ideas floated this offseason.Why This Trade Stands Out • It doesn’t address a direct positional need. • It forces a defensive downgrade at third base. • It complicates the infield without guaranteeing a net improvement.Jim Bowden’s prediction is bold, but its practicality for the Yankees remains questionable. The potential acquisition of Marte would give New York a premier offensive piece, yet the defensive implications of shifting Chisholm to third make the trade appear unlikely. As things stand, the Yankees seem more inclined to pursue moves that align with both their offensive goals and defensive structure.The original article by Matt Sullivan captures the unusual nature of this proposal, highlighting how this kind of infield adjustment “works better on paper than it does in practice.”