The Seattle Mariners have quietly built one of baseball's most intriguing prospect pools, and they now possess the exact inventory to address a critical need for the New York Yankees—moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. While the 26-year-old infielder-outfielder struggled significantly in pinstripes, his underlying skill set and proven track record with Miami suggest he's a reclamation project with genuine upside. The Yankees, looking to consolidate their prospect depth, should seriously consider a package that brings elite young talent to Puget Sound while sending a versatile, athletic infielder to Seattle.
Chisholm endured a difficult 2024 season after being traded to New York mid-year, batting just .273 with an alarming 24.5% strikeout rate across 147 games between Miami and the Yankees. However, his pedigree—a proven 20+ home run hitter with elite speed (40 stolen bases in 2024) and defensive versatility—remains intact. The right-side hitting offensive profile he displayed in Miami, combined with his ability to play multiple infield positions, gives Seattle a dynamic centerpiece for their roster construction moving forward.
The Prospect Return: Why Montes and Cijntje Fit
Lázaro Montes and Jurrangelo Cijntje represent the apex of the Mariners' prospect trajectory, and sending both would represent a meaningful sacrifice that reflects Chisholm's true value. Montes, 20, has emerged as a generational power prospect since signing for $2.5 million in 2022. The Cuban outfielder's combination of size, bat speed, and exit velocity (regularly exceeding 110 mph) draws legitimate comparisons to Yordan Alvarez. His 2025 season demonstrated maturation, as he significantly reduced his strikeout rate while maintaining plus-power production across multiple minor league levels.
Jurrangelo Cijntje, the 21-year-old switch-pitcher drafted 15th overall in 2024, represents the Mariners' most exciting pitching prospect. His right-handed fastball reaches 99 mph with explosive uphill action, paired with a plus curveball that generates consistent swing-and-miss. Though concerns about durability and left-handed consistency exist, his stuff from the right side projects as a mid-rotation starter—exactly what the Yankees seek in their pitching pipeline.
The Proposed Trade Package for Jazz Chisholm Jr.:
Mariners Receive:
- 2B/OF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Yankees Receive:
- OF Lázaro Montes
- RHP Jurrangelo Cijntje
Strategic Value for Both Organizations
For the Yankees, this package represents genuine long-term upside that alleviates pressure to find cost-controlled talent in a payroll-constrained market. Montes' power-laden profile fits the modern Yankees infrastructure, while Cijntje provides a rare high-ceiling starter prospect who avoids the bloat at the major league level.
For the Mariners, Chisholm becomes the centerpiece of a reimagined roster architecture. His speed and defensive versatility unlock new tactical possibilities, while his age (26) places him in the prime window to contribute meaningfully during Seattle's next competitive push. The Mariners have shown willingness to invest in mid-career veterans—this move would represent a calculated bet that Chisholm rebounds under new organizational structure and coaching.
The trade satisfies immediate needs for both clubs while respecting the market value of a 26-year-old with proven postseason experience and Olympic credentials. It's the kind of deal that makes sense on paper, in the spreadsheet, and in the clubhouse.
