Jazz Chisholm Jr. is considered one of the top position players in a market that may have fewer bats available. Trade talks surrounding Chisholm have intensified in the past week. The Marlins further fueled speculation by moving him back to second base over the weekend, showcasing his defensive versatility to potential trade partners with the deadline approaching in two weeks.
Originally a middle infielder, Chisholm transitioned to center field in 2023 to accommodate Luis Arraez. Assessments of Chisholm’s outfield performance have varied. Some metrics, like Defensive Runs Saved, rate him poorly as a center fielder, while Statcast views him as a neutral to strong outfielder. His early work at second base received more favorable evaluations compared to his time in center field.
If Chisholm continues to play second base for a few weeks, it could instill confidence in teams that he can handle the position for the remainder of the season. Reports suggest that the Yankees and the Royals have shown interest in Chisholm, with the Mariners also reportedly in the mix as they seek to upgrade their offense.
Despite Chisholm’s defensive flexibility drawing interest from multiple teams, the Phillies appear uninterested in their division rivals. Philadelphia, who are set in the middle infield, are more inclined towards acquiring outfield help, potentially in the form of a right-handed platoon player rather than an everyday starter.
Although Chisholm, a left-handed hitter, could provide an offensive boost for the Phillies as a regular center fielder, the team may not view him as a substantial upgrade over Johan Rojas, who excels defensively. Chisholm’s numbers this season, with a .249/.321/.407 slash line and 12 home runs and 18 stolen bases, are similar to his performance last year.
Injuries have impeded Chisholm’s progress, including a stress fracture in his back that shortened his breakout season in 2022. While he has managed to avoid the injured list this year, his injury history has prevented him from accumulating significant statistics that would lead to higher arbitration earnings. Chisholm is currently playing on a reasonable $2.625MM salary and won’t become a free agent until the 2026-27 offseason.
