Overview
- The Yankees did not extend the one-year qualifying offer to Jazz Chisholm Jr., making him a free agent on Monday.
- Chisholm posted a down 2026 season, finishing .231 with 19 home runs, 41 steals and 157 strikeouts in 137 games.
- A June moment when Chisholm had a lollipop in his mouth drew a reprimand from manager Aaron Boone, who said the behavior was addressed and would not continue.
- Hall of Famer Goose Gossage publicly called Chisholm a “disgrace” and a “clown,” comments that have revived debate about the Yankees’ current culture versus the George Steinbrenner era.
- The decision removes a $23.15 million payroll commitment, affects draft-pick compensation rules tied to the qualifying offer, and leaves Chisholm to seek a new team while teams weigh his power, speed and strikeout rate.