Insider Flags Potential Shifts in Yankees’ Roster Plans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 6:23 PM ET

Former Yankees pitcher and current YES Network and ESPN analyst David Cone didn’t hold back when asked about his biggest concern for the team. Speaking to NJ.com’s Randy Miller, Cone zeroed in on the infield.

“I think they need to figure out their infield situation,” Cone said plainly.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is coming off the injured list and is expected to play third base, while DJ LeMahieu remains at second.

But Cone raises the bigger question: Is this the best use of Chisholm when he is fully healthy?

“Jazz looks pretty good at second base to me,” Cone said. “I don’t know if moving Jazz to third has anything to do with the Yankees’ left-handed pitching.”

The move to third base was widely viewed as a way to keep LeMahieu at his preferred position, but Cone’s comments suggest there could be more complexity to the decision.

"Do the Yankees think third base is more important with Max Fried and Carlos Rodon in the rotation? Maybe," Cone reasoned. "They’re lefties, but not exactly Andy Pettitte-like with a cutter that gets a lot of groundballs to third. At the start of the year, the Yankees were good up the middle with (Anthony) Volpe and Jazz. They were rangy."

With Oswaldo Cabrera sidelined for the season and the Yankees juggling injuries and inconsistency, the infield remains a work in progress.

Another reason the Yankees have been willing to keep LeMahieu at second base, reportedly, is that there will be more second basemen than third basemen available on the trade market. Thus, the Yankees could more easily replace LeMahieu and have an already comfortable Chisholm at third.

Cone's comments came before LeMahieu's breakout performance Sunday night with four hits against the Dodgers. But at 36, LeMahieu isn't getting any rangier.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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