Chisholm could be a fit for this AL contender
MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Jazz Chisholm Jr.
July 14: Mariners a fit for Jazz?
With their American League West lead over the Astros down to one game entering Sunday and their offense averaging the fourth-fewest runs per game (3.89) in MLB, the Mariners are desperately in need of a bat.
To that end, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Seattle has emerged as the favorite to land Chisholm from the Marlins.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman recently linked the Mariners to Chisholm as well, as did The Athletic's Jim Bowden (subscription required).
Per Bowden, the Mariners also have shown interest in White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and D-backs first baseman Christian Walker.
Of those players, Chisholm appears to be the most attainable for Seattle. The White Sox are likely to maintain a lofty asking price for Robert, while the Mets and D-backs are closer to buying than selling at this point.
July 13: Chisholm to receive reps at second base
Chisholm began his MLB career as a second baseman, and he's going to get a chance to return to his roots. He took ground balls at second base Saturday at Great American Ball Park, and Marlins manager Skip Schumaker confirmed Chisholm could see time at the keystone soon. The 26-year-old moved to the outfield at the start of the 2023 season.
Having Chisholm, whose defensive appearances this season have all come in center field, showcase his skills at second could make him a more appealing trade chip. More >
July 11: Yankees in the mix for Chisholm?
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have had discussions about acquiring Chisholm from the Marlins. Miami entered play on Thursday with a 32-60 record, and is heavily expected to be deadline sellers, something it already got a head-start on by sending Luis Arraez to the Padres in May.
As for where Chisholm would fit in the Yankees lineup, Heyman reported that it would likely come in the infield, given that New York possesses a star-studded outfield of Alex Verdugo-Aaron Judge-Juan Soto, while the team's infield has no players with at least a .690 OPS entering Thursday (min. 100 plate appearances). This should be no problem for Chisholm, given that he spent his first three MLB seasons as a second baseman, including his lone All-Star season in 2022.
July 11: Phillies making center field a priority (report)
The Phillies have upgrading in center field at the top of their Deadline to-do list, per a Thursday report from Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required).
Although the club currently sports the best record in baseball and has maintained a position in the top five in MLB in runs per game, it's struggled to get any real production out of its outfielders, with center field being a particular concern. Although both Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache, who have logged the majority of the innings in center, have performed well defensively, Phillies center fielders currently rank 28th in baseball with a .281 combined slugging percentage.
According to Bowden, Philadelphia has been linked to Chisholm in addition to a number of other outfielders, including Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, Jake McCarthy of the D-backs, Jacob Young of the Nationals and Cody Bellinger of the Cubs.
July 9: ‘Growing belief’ Chisholm will be traded (report)
With the Trade Deadline three weeks away, the Marlins are one of the few teams clearly in selling mode. They already traded Luis Arraez back in May, and are likely to deal All-Star closer Tanner Scott (a pending free agent) as well. But Miami might not stop there.
According to Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, there’s a “growing belief” that Chisholm will be dealt, too. Per Mish, the Marlins are “very much listening” on Chisholm, who is controllable through 2026. MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi has heard the same, confirming Mish's report on Tuesday morning. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal was even more definitive about Chisholm's chances of being dealt on Tuesday afternoon.
"Chisholm is going to get traded," Rosenthal said on Foul Territory. "I don't think there's much question about that. The only question is which team."
Mish named the Mariners, Royals and Pirates among the teams that could have interest in the 26-year-old.
With Arraez gone, Scott eligible for free agency at the end of this year and left-hander Jesús Luzardo expected to be sidelined until August due to a back injury, Chisholm is arguably the Marlins’ top trade chip.
Although there are potential concerns that include a lengthy injury history, Chisholm is an intriguing power-speed threat. He has stayed healthy this season and produced 10 homers, 17 steals and a .733 OPS over 87 games.
June 26: Will Jazz be the best position player traded this summer?
With the White Sox clearly in selling mode, center fielder Luis Robert Jr. has been involved in trade rumblings for weeks now. However, it’s not a certainty that he’ll be dealt prior to the Trade Deadline.
Surveying MLB executives on the best players they expect to be traded this summer, The Athletic's Jim Bowden (subscription required) expected Robert’s name to come up more often. However, most execs think Chicago’s asking price makes it less likely he’ll actually be dealt. Robert is signed through 2025 and has club options in 2026 and 2027, which removes some of the urgency from the situation from the White Sox perspective.
Instead, the Marlins' Chisholm was the name that came up the most among position players.
Miami, like the White Sox, is an obvious seller. The club has already started making moves, trading Luis Arraez to the Padres in early May. Closer Tanner Scott, a pending free agent, is also likely to be traded.
The 26-year-old Chisholm has dealt with persistent injury problems as a big leaguer, but he has managed to avoid the IL this year and is hitting .264 with 10 homers, 14 steals and a .768 OPS over 77 games. He offers an intriguing blend of power and speed, having averaged 28 home runs and 32 stolen bases per 162 games since the beginning of 2021.
Chisholm is controllable through 2026, so it’s possible the Marlins will look to keep him around. But with new president of baseball operations Peter Bendix building for the future, Chisholm is arguably the team’s best remaining trade chip after pitcher Jesús Luzardo (controllable through 2026) went down with a back injury that is expected to keep him out for months.
Per Bowden's report, some teams are interested in Chisholm as a center fielder, where he's played since 2023. Others, meanwhile, view him as a middle infielder.