One of the better young players in baseball could soon be on the move.
According to the Miami Herald’s Craig Mish, there is a “growing belief” that the Marlins will trade outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.
“Chisholm has put together his healthiest season to date, producing at the top of the lineup, and teams are taking notice,” Mish wrote. “Believe it or not this is the first time there has been genuine interest in Chisholm as injuries, and his personality have kept other clubs wondering what they would be getting in return.”
This year, the 26-year-old has generated a career-best .326 on-base percentage while barreling 10.9 percent of batted balls, which is in the 77th percentile of MLB hitters.
Chisholm is also a strong base runner, ranking in the 98th percentile of baserunning value and the 82nd percentile in sprint speed while going 51-for-67 in stolen bases from 2022-24.
At the same time, Chisholm’s metrics in hard-hit rate, chase rate, strikeout rate and average exit velocity are all below average.
The Bahamian standout has seemed to turn a corner health-wise in 2024 after two straight injury-riddled campaigns.
Chisholm made his only All-Star appearance in 2022 but played in just 60 games because of a stress fracture in his lower back, not to mention suffered from shoulder, toe, oblique, hamstring and knee issues in 2023.
This season, though, Chisholm has suited up in 87 of Miami’s 90 games, posting 1.4 wins above replacement — easily the highest on the team.
Despite Chisholm enjoying a solid season, the Marlins have completely nosedived in 2024, going 32-58 and already having a 0.0 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs.
Consequently, there is widespread belief that the team will sell all the assets it can before the July 30 trade deadline.
While reliever Tanner Scott and first baseman Josh Bell are likely to be solid additions for any contending team, Chisholm — with 2 ½ years of control, not hitting free agency until 2027 — would be the most notable chip because of his age and versatility, having played second base and center field.
As for where Chisholm may be headed, Mish mentioned the Mariners, Royals and Dodgers as possible landing spots.