Overview
- Multiple outlets confirmed on Monday that the Yankees did not extend the $23.15 million qualifying offer to Jazz Chisholm Jr. while instead giving the offer to reliever David Bednar, making Chisholm an unrestricted free agent.
- Chisholm’s 2026 offensive numbers fell to a .231/.312/.399 slash line with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs, 41 stolen bases and heavy strikeout totals, and reporters cited poor postseason hitting as a key reason the club chose not to keep him at the QO price.
- Public on-field moments and internal pushback shaped the optics of the decision, with Hall of Famer Goose Gossage calling Chisholm a 'clown' for entering a game with a lollipop and manager Aaron Boone saying he addressed the incident directly with the player.
- Yankees insiders and beat reporters say New York is prepared to replace Chisholm with internal options such as Anthony Volpe, José Caballero and rising prospects while reallocating money toward pitching and other roster needs.
- Reports that Chisholm is seeking a large long-term deal — roughly $35 million per year — remain unconfirmed and could limit his market in a thin free-agent class that faces added uncertainty from possible CBA changes; Chisholm originally came to New York in a 2024 trade after a breakout 2025 season.