Philadelphia Phillies Should Avoid One Particular Free Agent

The Philadelphia Phillies are in dire need of change this offseason, but the problem is that the free-agent market isn't exactly flush with talent.

This will be one of the thinner crops we've seen in quite some time, which arrives at horrendous timing for a Phillies squad that must add some bats.

There will be some names available, though, and one that has been linked to Philadelphia in passing is second baseman Jazz Chisholm.

Chisholm is in his final year of club control with the New York Yankees and is not expected to stay in the Bronx, which would open the door for the Phillies to sign him.

Except Philadelphia should actually stay far away from the 28-year-old.

Chisholm is a talented player. That isn't a question. But he is also one of the most frustrating players in baseball.

After smashing 31 home runs and posting an .813 OPS last year, Chisholm slashed just .231/.312/.399 with 19 homers and 55 RBI over 532 plate appearances in 2026.

He owns a lifetime .759 OPS, which is solid, not great. He is also maddeningly inconsistent defensively, sometimes flashing brilliant leather but then making incomprehensible mistakes in other moments.

Chisholm can be an asset depending on the year. He is a two-time All-Star, after all. But that's just it: you never know what you're going to get from him.

And given his potential price tag this winter, the Phillies would be better off pursuing a more consistent bat like Seiya Suzuki. They would also be better served trying to re-sign Luis Arraez for second base.

Chisholm wouldn't be terrible on a one-year prove-it deal, and based on how bad of a season he's had, that might not be entirely out of the realm of possibility.

Chances are, though, that the lefty slugger will probably land a lucrative multi-year contract from someone, and given the amount of questionable contracts the Phillies have already doled out, they should not be the team to do it.

Suzuki, Arraez and Randy Arozarena are all more appealing options in free agency, and Philadelphia could also explore the trade market to see what's available (although the Phils don't have a ton of assets to concoct enticing trade packages).

Obviously, the Phillies need to do something, but making a move just for the sake of making a move — and wasting money in the process — is never a good idea.

The idea of Chisholm sounds interesting in theory, but the reality of Chisholm is a whole lot different.