Chisholm publicly aimed for a 50-home-run, 50-stolen-base year, a goal Rarely seen as plausible by many observers. But after Ryan McMahon finally homered on April 17, Chisholm was the lone regular starter on the Yankees without a round-tripper, underscoring a power drought that has critics wondering about his fit in the Bronx.
Sportswriter Billy Heyen, of The Sporting News, noted that the “50-50 year” is already out of reach, and the Yankees are simply hoping for any power production from their second baseman. Heyen added that Chisholm is a streaky hitter, and New York could use more consistency and fewer swing-and-miss tendencies.
Ahead of the season, trade chatter about Chisholm had already begun to surface. SI.com’s Mark Morales-Smith floated a potential deal that would send Chisholm to the Atlanta Braves for Ozzie Albies and pitching prospect Jhancarlos Lara, presenting the Yankees with a switch-hitting, veteran clubhouse presence on a favorable contract.
If the struggles continue toward the trade deadline, the chatter could intensify, with questions about upgrading the middle infield and whether Chisholm’s long-term role with the Yankees is at risk. The possibility of a midseason move remains on the table for a team evaluating its internal options.
This assessment, drawn from reporting by Heavy Sports, frames Chisholm’s season as a slump with real implications for both his value and the Yankees’ infield plans as 2026 unfolds.
