Marlins To Give Jazz Chisholm Jr. Playing Time At Second Base

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been prominently floated in trade speculation as the deadline approaches, and some more fuel was added to that fire with today’s news that the Marlins will again be deploying Chisholm as a second baseman on at least a part-time basis.  Chisholm took some grounders at second prior to today’s game with the Reds, and manager Skip Schumaker told reporters (including MLB.com’s Jeff Wallner) that Chisholm was happy “to do whatever’s best for the team.”

The decision is about “trying to keep his bat in the lineup every day,” Schumaker said.  “Also trying to keep him playing every day for 160-plus games, which he’s never done.  So trying to get him DH days.  Maybe second base is a way to get him off his feet a little bit.  Because I think he could play that in his sleep.”

These are all valid baseball-related reasons for the position change, as Chisholm is coming off a pair of injury-shortened seasons.  Not only has Chisholm not reached the 160-game plateau, his 124 games in 2021 represent the highest total of his four Major League seasons.  He played in only 157 of a possible 324 games in 2022-23, but has thus far taken the field in 91 of Miami’s 94 contests in 2024.  Chisholm is no stranger to the keystone after playing mostly second base during his first three MLB seasons, but he has exclusively played center field (with a few DH days) since the Marlins decided to move him to outfield duty prior to the 2023 season.

As logical as Schumaker’s explanation is, moving Chisholm to second base could also be very easily viewed as Miami’s way of showcasing his versatility to potential trade partners in advance of July 30.  Chisholm’s center field work has been average at best, depending on the defensive metric of choice — Defensive Runs Saved (-14) and UZR/150 (-7) have both panned his glovework, while Chisholm has +4 Outs Above Average over his 1541 innings as a center fielder.  Over 1308 1/3 big league innings at second base, Chisholm has a +7 DRS and +8 OAA, though UZR/150 again has him below average with a -2.6 number.

While this resume as a second baseman doesn’t exactly reflect a level of “he could play that in his sleep” defensive performance, it seems logical to assume that Chisholm is a better defensive option as an infielder than as an outfielder going forward.  The ability to play center field on at least a passable basis obviously adds to Chisholm’s trade value, but it could be that some potential suitors eyeing Chisholm as primarily a second baseman wanted some evidence that he could still handle the position before meeting what is likely a big asking price in trade talks.

Chisholm is only in the first of three arbitration-eligible seasons, earning $2.625MM in 2024 and under team control through 2026.  Miami therefore isn’t under any crunch to move Chisholm by the deadline, and an argument could be made that waiting until at least this offseason to make a move might only help the Marlins’ chances at a premium return.  If Chisholm stays healthy, fully re-establishes himself as a second base candidate, and improves on his okay (103 wRC+, .251/.320/.410 in 388 PA) but not outstanding offensive production, he’ll still be a prime trade chip for the Marlins as they continue their latest roster overhaul.