Why Blue Jays should pass on trying to poach star second baseman Jazz Chisholm from Yankees

Teams rarely get a chance to lure star players away from the New York Yankees, but that may be a realistic opportunity on the table for Jazz Chisholm Jr. this offseason. Things appear to have gone sour between Chisholm and New York, culminating in the star second baseman getting booed by the home fans as the Yankees were swept out of the ALDS by the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Chisholm has said he would like to remain a Yankee, but that’s what they all say, right? It’s hard to see both sides reuniting after everything that has happened, and that’s exactly why the Blue Jays should steer clear of him in free agency this winter. 

Why shouldn’t the Blue Jays pursue Jazz Chisholm Jr.? 

Chisholm’s fit with the Blue Jays is clear on paper. Toronto needs to improve its middle infield, and he is one of the most talented second basemen in the sport just entering his prime. If only things were that simple. 

Talent has never been the issue with Chisholm—it’s his inconsistency and poor attention to detail that are the problem. Both reared their ugly heads this past season as he slashed .231/.312/.399 while striking out 157 times in just 531 plate appearances. He stole 41 bases but fell well short of his much-memed goal of recording a 50-50 season. 

Instead of building on the excellent numbers he posted in 2025, Chisholm spent much of this past season making headlines for the wrong reason. Whether it was controversy over sucking on a lollipop mid-game or making costly defensive errors in the playoffs, he always seemed to be drawing the wrong kind of attention. 

It’s worth acknowledging that the media in New York is a different animal. They’re ruthless, and, in some cases, perhaps more likely to pick on Chisholm for things that have nothing to do with baseball. Still, he did very little to help his own cause in 2026. 

Given he’s 28-years-old, the two-time All-Star will no doubt be seeking a massive contract in free agency. There were rumours of him wanting a 10-year deal deal worth upwards of $30 million annually before his poor season began. The Blue Jays shouldn’t be entertaining conversations anywhere near that price. 

Chisholm simply isn’t the kind of star you can count on to be awesome every year. His swing-and-miss offensive profile lends itself to extreme volatility. His speed, meanwhile, will decrease with age—taking with it so much of his value. Signing him to a long-term deal could backfire in a hurry. 

If Chisholm is interested in taking a short-term deal to re-establish his value for hitting the free agent market again, however, then the Blue Jays could get involved. A one-year deal could prove fruitful if he returns to form, not unlike how things played out with Marcus Semien in 2021. Then they could let someone else pay him the massive contract. 

Ultimately, while the Blue Jays need to get better this offseason, Chisholm shouldn’t be their primary solution. Let the Yankees take him back if they still want him. There are safer free agents they can sign this winter—with less baggage attached. 

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