The New York Yankees could have a new third baseman by the end of the month.
Recently, they’ve been using Jazz Chisholm Jr. out of position at third base to accommodate DJ LeMahieu, whose large contract is likely the only reason he’s still with the team. Neither player has been effective defensively, adding to the frustration.
A trade for a more reliable third baseman seems likely, although the market is limited. Stars like Eugenio Suárez of the Diamondbacks and Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals may not be available, narrowing the Yankees’ options.
That’s why a host of the “Talkin’ Yanks” podcast, Jake Storiale of Jomboy Media, floated the idea of trading for struggling Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung. Jung, an All-Star in 2023, is having a tough season with a .648 OPS over 75 games.
“The Rangers have been awful this season and do have other options at third base,” Storiale said. “I don’t know the trade details—it’s hard to pin down value—but the Yankees used to be good at finding players who needed a fresh start.”
He suggested that if the Rangers are open to moving on, the Yankees could offer a solid prospect in return. “It might not work out, but if it does, Jung could fill that role for several seasons.”
Jung showed promise as a rookie, belting 23 homers in 122 games and flashing big-time power potential. Though he’s struggled lately, he’s only 27 and has demonstrated the ability to consistently hit the ball hard in past seasons.
If New York can acquire him without giving up a top-tier prospect, it might be a gamble worth taking. Jung would remain under team control through 2028.
