The New York Yankees extended the one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer to closer David Bednar on Monday and let the deadline pass without one for second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. The 28-year-old is now a free agent with no draft pick compensation attached to him.

Chisholm spent the final week of the season making his case to stay. After the Tampa Bay Rays swept the Yankees out of the ALDS, he said the Bronx was where he wanted to be.

The qualifying offer was the club’s simplest route to another year with him, or a draft pick if left. Fans on social media were quick to react to the news, with one X user commenting, “Good riddance.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr.‘s 2026 stat line explains the hesitation: .231/.312/.399 with 19 homers and 55 RBIs in 137 games, a .711 OPS more than 100 points below the .813 he posted during a 31-homer, 31-steal 2025. October made it easier.

Aaron Boone started Anthony Volpe at second base in Game 3 of the ALDS, and Chisholm learned of it from the lineup card rather than his manager. He went 0-for-8 with a walk in the series and was booed after fouling out as a pinch hitter in the 4-3 loss that ended the Yankees’ season.

No draft pick compensation will follow him into free agency, which widens the field of teams willing to bet on a bounce-back at 28. New York’s internal options at second base are Volpe, José Caballero and Luis García Jr.

Yankees Hope to Retain Closer David Bednar

Pitcher David Bednar, 32, made his decision straightforward. In his first full season in pinstripes, he went 7-3 with 35 saves and a 2.47 ERA, striking out 76 in 69 1/3 innings.

The offer is a raise on the $9 million he earned in 2026, and it does not stop the sides from negotiating a multiyear deal. Bednar has until Nov. 17 to accept or decline; if he declines and signs elsewhere, the New York Yankees would receive draft pick compensation.

During the postseason, David Bednar said:

“I think it’s just trying to do a task, finish a task, and just take it one at a time. When I’m down there, I’m ready for whenever the phone rings in whatever situation, whatever the team needs me to do. So whenever that may be, I’m always prepared.”

Yankees relievers posted a 3.13 ERA, second in the majors, yet Bednar was one of six to reach free agency, along with Paul Blackburn, Michael Fulmer, Tim Hill, John Schreiber and Ryan Yarbrough. The Post reported that Brent Headrick is the only sure thing returning.