Blue Jays linked to Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. in free agency predictions

TORONTO · The Toronto Blue Jays are being linked to New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. as a potential free agent target this offseason. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand identified Toronto as a possible landing spot for the two-time All-Star. In a separate predictions piece, FanSided.com's John Perrotto forecast Chisholm signing with the Blue Jays on a four-year, $80 million contract. The speculation follows a season where Toronto finished last in Major League Baseball in runs scored, with 648.

Chisholm, 29, hit .231 with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs and 41 stolen bases over 137 games in 2026, producing 3.5 fWAR. His 41 stolen bases ranked third in the American League. He was unable to back up his 2025 All-Star campaign, where he recorded a 30/30 season, and posted a below-average OPS+ of 97 in 2026. "Yankees fans are tired of Chisholm's inconsistency, booing him when the Rays eliminated New York in an ALDS, and he's expected to move on in free agency despite hitting 19 homers and stealing 41 bases in 137 games," Perrotto wrote. "Chisholm has power, speed and the versatility to play second base, third base and center field."

Feinsand's analysis suggested a contract in the range of three to four years worth roughly $20 million annually could be a reasonable range for Chisholm. The website Spotrac.com lists his market value as two years and $34 million, an average annual value of $17 million. Perrotto noted that with inflation and what teams like the Blue Jays are willing to pay for All-Star players, a four-year, $80 million projection emerges. The final price will depend heavily on how the free-agent market develops. The Blue Jays have a potential opening at second base, where incumbent Ernie Clement struggled significantly down the stretch, posting a .442 OPS across August and September. General manager Ross Atkins has indicated that Clement will have to earn his starting role next spring. That could create an opportunity for Chisholm to step into the lineup while allowing Clement to take on a valuable super-utility role.

Despite his talent, Chisholm struck out 157 times in 532 plate appearances in 2026, a 29.5 percent strikeout rate that placed him in the bottom 10 percent of MLB. His 30.9 percent whiff rate also ranked in the bottom 10 percent. There are also questions about his injury history and how much money Toronto should commit to him following a season in which his offensive production declined. While not a great defender in the "defensive runs saved" category, Chisholm makes up for it in the above-average outs and fielding run value categories. For the Blue Jays, the upside is obvious: Chisholm brings speed, athleticism, power and a left-handed bat to a lineup that badly needs more production. The free agent market for second basemen is not considered loaded, and aside from Brandon Lowe, Chisholm is seen as a top option in the class.

With files from Yahoo Sports