Jazz Chisholm Jr. stands as one of many prime place gamers obtainable in what may very well be a comparatively mild marketplace for bats. Commerce chatter concerning Chisholm has picked up over the previous week. The Marlins solely added gas by transferring him again to second base over the weekend, seemingly an effort to display his defensive versatility for potential commerce companions with two weeks till the deadline.
A center infielder by commerce, Chisholm moved to middle area in 2023 in deference to Luis Arraez. Defensive metrics have been blended on Chisholm’s outfield efficiency. Defensive Runs Saved has him as a nicely below-average middle fielder, whereas Statcast has him as a impartial to stable outfielder. Each metrics had been fonder of his early work at second base than they’ve been on his middle area protection.
Even a pair weeks of reps again at second base might elevate groups’ confidence that Chisholm might play there down the stretch. The New York Put up’s Jon Heyman wrote final week that the Yankees have thought-about Chisholm, presumably as an infield match. Bob Nightengale of USA At the moment reported yesterday that the Royals — a crew overtly in search of a participant who can bounce between the infield and outfield — have proven curiosity in Chisholm. Nightengale suggests the Mariners, one other membership that hasn’t made any secret of its want to improve the offense, can also be within the combine.
Whereas there must be a broad vary of groups interested by a participant with Chisholm’s defensive flexibility, Nightengale signifies the Phillies will not be exhibiting a lot curiosity of their division rival. (The Athletic’s Jim Bowden had loosely linked Chisholm, amongst varied different gamers, to Philadelphia final week.) The Phils are set within the center infield with Trea Turner and Bryson Stott. They’re in search of outfield assist, though that would take the type of a right-handed platoon bat somewhat than an on a regular basis participant.
Chisholm, a left-handed hitter, wouldn’t tackle Philadelphia’s want for extra stability within the outfield. He’d be a transparent offensive enchancment as an on a regular basis middle fielder on Johan Rojas. Rojas is a gifted defender, although, and the Phils may not really feel that Chisholm’s a marked sufficient general improve to beat the affords put forth by different groups which might be extra determined for hitting.
The 26-year-old Chisholm is having a second straight stable however not unimaginable season. He goes into the All-Star Break with a roughly common .249/.321/.407 slash line. Chisholm has hit 12 homers and stolen 18 bases (though he’s been thrown out eight occasions). That’s just like final 12 months’s .250/.304/.457 exhibiting. A mean hitter with the power to cowl a number of up-the-middle positions is definitely a invaluable participant, but Chisholm hasn’t developed into the franchise constructing block he appeared throughout an All-Star first half in 2022.
Accidents have been an element. Most notably, a stress fracture in Chisholm’s again minimize brief that potential breakout 12 months in ’22. Toe and indirect points restricted him to 97 video games a 12 months in the past. He has prevented the injured record to date in 2024. The damage historical past has stored him from accumulating the type of counting stats that’d end in vital arbitration earnings. Chisholm is enjoying on a really reasonably priced $2.625MM wage and received’t attain free company till the 2026-27 offseason.
