If the Minnesota Twins move on from Royce Lewis this offseason, general manager Jeremy Zoll should strongly consider signing New York Yankees free agent second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who is unlikely to receive a qualifying offer, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Lewis has been a below-average player since his outstanding 2023 rookie season. This past season, Lewis posted 0.5 fWAR and an 85 wRC+ over 125 games with Minnesota. The Twins optioned him to Triple-A St. Paul in May but called him up less than three weeks later. He has accumulated just 2.6 fWAR since the start of the 2024 season.
Although Lewis is a former first-overall pick and posted MVP-type numbers in 2023, Minnesota may be ready to move on from him. He turns 28 next summer, and MLB Trade Rumors projects he will earn $5.1 million in arbitration in 2027.
Twins should try to sign Jazz Chisholm Jr. as short-term Royce Lewis replacement
Chisholm would be a great short-term replacement for Lewis. Chisholm is coming off a rough season at the plate, slashing .231/.312/.399 (98 wRC+) over 137 games, so he may sign a one-year deal and hope to make more in free agency in the 2027-28 offseason. If Chisholm is willing to sign a one-year contract, it would be a perfect situation for the Twins if they plan to trade or non-tender Lewis.
Kody Clemens could mainly play first base while Chisholm serves as the primary second baseman. Then, top shortstop prospect Marek Houston could take Chisholm's spot in the infield in 2028. Houston may be ready for the big league at some point in 2027, but Minnesota shouldn't count on it since he hasn't played in Triple-A yet.
Despite having a below-average season at the plate, Chisholm posted 3.5 fWAR this year. He stole 41 bases and hit 19 home runs. He recorded -6 Defensive Runs Saved over 1,155 innings at second base, but he had an outstanding +13 Outs Above Average.
Chisholm will be 29 in February. He began his MLB career with the Miami Marlins in 2020. The Marlins traded him to the Yankees during the 2024 season.
Over his seven-year career, Chisholm has accumulated 17.9 fWAR, 127 home runs, 363 RBI and 171 stolen bases while slashing .245/.315/.444 (108 wRC+). He had the best season of his career in 2025, posting 4.3 fWAR and a .242/.332/.481 (125 wRC+) slash line with 21 home runs, 80 RBI and 31 stolen bases over 130 games.
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