Chisholm: 'A lot more exciting' to be playing with Judge, Soto in New York

Relocating to the Bronx after months on one of baseball's worst teams seems to have reignited Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Chisholm, the newest member of the New York Yankees, is savoring the opportunity to be part of a star-studded championship contender that he feels can bring out the best version of himself.

"It's more something to play for, playing for a championship, playing to go get a ring and the other guys in the clubhouse believing that we can go get a ring, too," Chisholm said Friday ahead of his Yankee Stadium debut, according to The Associated Press. "It's a lot more exciting to be out there with the guys that I'm out there with now like a Aaron Judge and a Juan Soto, guys that could push me to my absolute best. I feel like I haven't had anybody — anyone that really pushed me to be my best, especially to compete with on the team."

The Yankees acquired Chisholm from the Miami Marlins on July 27 in exchange for three prospects.

During his five-year stint in Miami, he broke out as a star and the face of that franchise, helping the Marlins reach the postseason twice while making an All-Star appearance in 2022. But they only won one playoff series - during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign - and never competed in a postseason game at home during that span.

Chisholm put up a .730 OPS in 101 games for the Marlins - the owners of the NL's second-worst record - before the trade. In New York, he's looked like an entirely new man, going 7-for-19 with eight RBIs while becoming the first player in team history to homer in three of his first four games as a Yankee. He's done all that while learning a new position, third base, on the fly.

The 26-year-old is eyeing even more dingers, as he showed up to the ballpark Friday wearing a shirt that referenced Yankee Stadium's famous short porch in right field.

Manager Aaron Boone has quickly become impressed with his new player, both for his hard work at trying to master third base and how quickly he's fit into the team as a whole.

"Brings a lot of swag to the park every day and energy — kind of a light and a smile," Boone said. "He's hugged our room and they've hugged him back. ... He plays with an energy and a confidence and a fearlessness that certainly has served him well so far."