Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Picture a second baseman who hit .231, struck out 157 times in 532 plate appearances, and just finished the year with a 98 wRC+, a touch below league average. Now picture that same second baseman finishing second among American League second basemen in fWAR.

That’s Jazz Chisholm Jr.‘s 2026 season in a nutshell. The bat slumped. Everything else didn’t.

Chisholm posted 15 Outs Above Average at second base, good for the 98th percentile in MLB and 8 Fielding Run Value. He stole a career-high 41 bases, third most in the AL. Add it up, and a slightly below-average offensive season from Chisholm still produced a 3.5 fWAR.

It wasn’t a one-year fluke, either. Chisholm is the only one of this winter’s free agent hitters to post at least 3.0 fWAR in each of the last three seasons (h/t Mark Feinsand). He’s also the youngest of the top free agent bats.

Since the start of 2025, only three players have hit at least 50 home runs and stolen at least 70 bases: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The bat has gone up and down, but the floor has held. Here are some valuable numbers from each of Chisholm’s last four seasons:

Year	wRC+	HR	SB	fWAR
2023	102	19	22	1.9
2024	111	24	40	4.1
2025	125	31	31	4.3
2026	98	19	41	3.5

So, why didn’t the Yankees extend him a qualifying offer? Well, unfortunately for Chisholm, the bat is still part of the job.

His 30.9% whiff rate ranked in the 13th percentile, and his 29.5% strikeout rate was in the bottom 10%. He hit just .218/.269/.381 against left-handers, and his xwOBA was at a career worst. And while OAA loved his glove, DRS didn’t: he finished at -6.

Then came October. Chisholm’s first-inning throwing error in Game 2 of the ALDS let the Rays score, and the Yankees benched him for the elimination game. It makes sense that teams could totally understand the skills he brings to the table and worry more about the mistakes and publicity.

Ultimately, Jazz is a very talented player with valuable, exciting skills. He can play multiple positions well and has pop from the left side. His ability to play multiple positions at a high level provides significant defensive versatility, while his left-handed power gives him an intriguing offensive profile. He offers a combination of athleticism, positional flexibility, and offensive upside that makes him a value piece for any roster.

What’s more, Chisholm has already demonstrated his value as a player capable of contributing to a contender, having been traded to a team looking to compete.

Free Agent Profile: Jazz Chisholm Jr.

• Age in 2027: 29
• 2026 Stats: 137 games, 532 PA, 19 HR, 55 RBI, .231/.312/.399, 98 wRC+, 3.5 fWAR
• 2026 Salary: $10.2 million
• Qualifying Offer Received?: No

Contract Projection

• Projected Length: 1-6 years
• Projected AAV: $22-30 million

Chisholm made it clear after the ALDS that he wanted to stay in New York. “I love it as a Yankee,” he said. The Yankees, it seems, feel differently.

So, which teams could use a second baseman whose value doesn’t depend solely on his bat? Also, with the CBA set to expire on December 1, which ones will move before a likely lockout freezes the market? Let’s take a look at some possibilities.

Free Agent Landing Spots for Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Los Angeles Angels

Let’s start with the Angels, who have two holes that Chisholm can fill. Their .620 OPS at second base ranked last in the AL, and the Angels aren’t afraid to throw money at free agents. Meanwhile, interim GM John Mozeliak said Mike Trout will move to left field in 2027, opening up center.

That flexibility matters for a team with young infielders to protect. Chisholm could start his Angels tenure in center without blocking Christian Moore, then slide back to the infield later. The Angels also ranked 29th in runs scored (655) and last in OPS (.679). And with Stan Kroenke taking over as owner, a two-time All-Star would be a loud first move for the new regime.

Then there’s the platoon split. The Angels’ .672 OPS against right-handed pitching was the worst in baseball. Even in a down year, Chisholm posted a .738 OPS against righties.

I could see Chisholm going here on something like a three-to-five-year term rather than a short-term pillow contract like other organizations would be willing to give.

Detroit Tigers

Gleyber Torres is a free agent for the third straight winter, leaving second base open in Detroit. The Tigers’ lineup could also use a left-handed bat and an injection of speed.

Chisholm would be a stylistic swap from Torres, not a replacement. Torres was an elite on-base threat in Detroit and consistently hit at the top of the order but brought little power or speed. Chisholm was a 30-30 player just over a year ago.

The argument against: Some see Hao-Yu Lee as an easy internal handoff, which would free up money for pitching. With Tarik Skubal gone, pitching could be seen as the bigger need for a team that made the playoffs two of the last three years.

Yet, here’s the number that jumps off the page: The Tigers stole 58 bases as a team in 2026. Only the Astros (50 SB) stole fewer. Chisholm stole 41 by himself, roughly 71% of Detroit’s entire total. The Tigers could be inclined to abandon their conservative baserunning after seeing teams like Milwaukee and Tampa Bay find success as small markets leaning into baserunning value.

Toronto Blue Jays

Ernie Clement was the AL’s leading All-Star vote-getter this year. Then he posted a .442 OPS across August and September. GM Ross Atkins has said Clement will have to earn his spot next spring.

That leaves room for Chisholm at second base and Clement to shift back to the super utility role he filled in 2025. Toronto needs the offense: The Blue Jays ranked last in the majors with 648 runs scored in 2026.

What’s strange about Toronto’s offense is that strikeouts weren’t the problem. The Blue Jays struck out 1,149 times, second fewest of any team in the league. They put the ball in play, which was also their main strength in 2025 and led them on a World Series run. They just did no damage on those balls in play, and they didn’t run; their 75 steals ranked fourth fewest.

Chisholm is the opposite profile, and for Toronto, the good would outweigh the bad.

San Diego Padres

The Padres slugged just .384 from the left side in 2026, 23rd in the majors. Chisholm is a lefty with proven 30-homer power, hitting 31 in 2025 and 24 in 2024.

The roster mechanism is already in place for San Diego. Jake Cronenworth is under contract for four more years and has plenty of first base experience. With Ty France entering free agency, Cronenworth could slide across the infield and open second up for Chisholm. That would also be a defensive upgrade: Padres second basemen were worth -15 DRS in 2025, with Cronenworth at -8.

However, the one catch is money. San Diego spent much of last winter shopping Cronenworth to trim payroll and does have money tied up in Xander Bogaerts, but it would be possible for Jazz to sign a short-term, high AAV deal in San Diego.

On the bright side, Chisholm’s legs would fit right in. The Padres stole 164 bases, ranked second in MLB behind the Nationals last season. And you can’t tell me Jazz with Tatis wouldn’t be extremely fun to watch.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates went 82-80 in 2026, their first winning season since 2018, and set a franchise record for home runs. Their biggest question this winter is at second base.

Brandon Lowe had a career year at 31 years old and hit 35 home runs, the most of any second baseman, with an .824 OPS. Now he’s a free agent, and GM Ben Cherington said it would be a “great outcome if he’s a Pirate next year.”

If Lowe prices himself out, Chisholm is the natural pivot. He’s three years younger, his left-handed power suits PNC Park, and he went 41-for-50 on stolen base attempts in 2026. With 132 steals this past season, sixth most in MLB, the Pirates would already know how to use him.

The problem is lefties. Pittsburgh hit .228 against left-handed starters and went 18-33 in those games. Chisholm hit .218 against southpaws himself. Arguably, a deal north of $20 million a year may be more than the Pirates want to spend.