MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Pirates look to bolster outfield, with Jazz Chisholm topping team's list, per insider
A team has shown interest in Jazz Chisholm of the Miami Marlins ahead of the MLB trade deadline. With a poor first half this season, the Marlins are expected to offload multiple players ahead of the trade deadline. Chisholm Jr. is one of them for whom the Marlins could get a good return.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Pirates are keeping an eye on center fielder Chisholm and left fielder Bryan De La Cruz as well.
Rosenthal mentions Chisholm as a comparatively better fit for the Pirates due to his affordable salary, which is $2.625 million this season, and two more years under club control. However, his salary could spike to $5 million in arbitration next season.
Jazz Chisholm is hitting .251/.322/.407 this season, along with 13 homers, 21 steals and 50 RBIs. Moreover, he's versatile on the field, having played center field and second base this season.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are struggling for production from their outfielder, who ranks 29th in majors in OPS and is only slashing .206/.267/.297. The Pirates (52-50) are third in NL Central, behind the Milwaukee Brewers (59-43) and the St. Louis Cardinals (53-49).
They are only 1.5 games behind the NL Wild Card berth, which should motivate them to go for this move.
Pirates and Marlins have had "exploratory" talks for Jazz Chisholm, claims insider
On "93.7 The Fan," Craig Mish of the Miami Herald mentioned that the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates have had "exploratory" talks concerning a trade involving Jazz Chisholm.
Mish also mentioned that there are other teams that have shown more interest than the Pirates.
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If a trade happens, according to Mish, the Marlins would like those prospects whose ETA in majors is 2-3 years from now.
Ken Rosenthal said in another report that there are 2–3 teams genuinely interested in trading for him, while others like him but don't have him on priority. Robert Murray of FanSided mentions the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees as potential fits.
Jim Bowden mentions the Philadelphia Phillies needing a center fielder, but so far there has been no serious interest, particularly in Jazz Chisholm. It remains to be seen who comes out on top in this trade.