Dodgers pursuing Jazz Chisholm would be terrible idea for so many reasons

Miami Marlins v Houston Astros
Miami Marlins v Houston Astros | Tim Warner/GettyImages

It's true that the Dodgers desperately need outfielders at the trade deadline and Luis Robert Jr. seems to be off the table (...right?), but there are some depths that the Dodgers shouldn't reach down into, even if things are looking dire.

The Marlins have the second-worst record in baseball and appear to be barreling toward a fire sale similar to the one the White Sox are gearing up to have. However, Jesús Luzardo, Bryan De La Cruz, and Jesús Sánchez are all less available (or less enticing) than anticipated, given multiple injuries and IL moves for Luzardo and multiple years of team control left on De La Cruz and Sánchez.

However, the Marlins, who need to improve in pretty much all areas, will need to let some players go if they want to try to bolster their 29th-ranked farm system, and newest word is that Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be dealt.

On the face of things, Chisholm is former All-Star, a relatively capable hitter, and he covered MLB The Show '23, which does, by some measures, makes him a star in the game. However, Chisholm is down in those untouchable depths, and the Dodgers definitely shouldn't be courting the Marlins for him on July 30.

Dodgers needs to stay far away from new Marlins trade candidate Jazz Chisholm Jr.

First of all, it's hard to ignore the fact that Chisholm and one of the Dodgers' own had beef at the beginning of the season. Chisholm and Miguel Rojas were teammates in Miami for three years, and Chisholm took to a podcast to slam Rojas' leadership and playing ability, which Rojas promptly hit back at.

If Chisholm was one of the best players in the game, interpersonal issues probably wouldn't factor into the Dodgers' decision to go after him. However, Chisholm isn't one of the best players in the game; in fact, his numbers speak to a player who is decidedly middling in most regards.

We'll concede that Chisholm is fast; his 18 stolen bases leads the rest of Miami's hitters by a wide margin. His outfield defense puts him in the 41st percentile with a -1 OAA, his bat speed and walk rate place him at the middle of the pack of all position players, and most of the rest of his hitting stats rank him well below league average.

All of this on top of the fact that his presence in the Dodgers clubhouse could potentially stir trouble in an environment that's been all about good vibes this season make him a player that LA should keep far away from. Brent Rooker could be a possibility, maybe Taylor Ward, certainly Randy Arozarena, but the Dodgers shouldn't be chasing Chisholm.

Schedule