Jazz Chisholm Jr. did not have a great contract year, and the New York Yankees may be wise to let him walk in free agency.
Chisholm had 31 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 2025, but this year he fell off. He struggled at the plate for most of the year, but still ended with 19 home runs and 41 stolen bases. His OPS was down to .711 after posting a .813 last season. Chisholm ended the regular season on a high note, slashing .286/.383/.418 in his final 32 games. He, like almost every Yankees hitter, struggled in the postseason.
Chisholm will be looking for a payday in free agency, and the Yankees may want to give Anthony Volpe another shot after his late-season revival. If the Yankees let him walk, plenty of teams could show interest despite his woes this season. MLB insider Mark Feinsand tabbed the Toronto Blue Jays as a potential fit.
"Toronto could easily plug Ernie Clement into its second-base spot, but Clement stumbled down the stretch this season, posting a .442 combined OPS in August and September," wrote Feinsand. "General manager Ross Atkins has said publicly that Clement will have to earn his spot next spring, but could the Blue Jays look to add a new second baseman via free agency and utilize Clement as a super utility man? Given that Toronto ranked last in the Majors in runs scored (648), the lineup certainly could use a jolt somewhere."
Chisholm is not a direct fit on the Blue Jays because of Clement, but Clement is so versatile that the Blue Jays could still find a way to get him in the lineup every day. Paying Chisholm the kind of money he's going to be looking for is also a risk.
He has a lengthy injury history, and if his struggles from this year carry over, a massive contract could quickly look like one of the worst in the big leagues. However, the ceiling on Chisholm is high, and he could be a 40-40 player if he's healthy and locked in.
The Blue Jays missed the postseason after making it all the way to the World Series in 2025. They are not scared to spend in free agency, and Chisholm could be a player who helps them.