Toronto Blue Jays Meet With Jazz Chisholm Jr. Representatives
Toronto Blue Jays representatives met with free agent Jazz Chisholm Jr. on November 11 during the general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, as reported by Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, as the team works to address an offense that finished last in the majors with 648 runs scored in 2026.
The 28-year-old infielder and outfielder played the previous season with the New York Yankees, where he batted .231 with 19 home runs and 41 stolen bases across 137 games, compiling a .711 OPS. Those figures marked a decline from his 2024 campaign, when he hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases with an .813 OPS, though his 41 steals last season set a career high.
Davidi reported that Chisholm is open to playing multiple positions, including the outfield. During his two and a half seasons in New York, he logged 237 games at second base, 74 at third base, and two in center field, supplementing prior experience in center field with the Miami Marlins.
That defensive versatility addresses Toronto’s search for reinforcements across both the infield and outfield. Ernie Clement played much of the 2026 season at second base, but general manager Ross Atkins said Clement must compete for that position next year.
Chisholm enters the market without a qualifying offer attached, meaning any signing team will not forfeit draft picks as compensation. The Yankees opted against extending the one-year proposal.
Toronto has also engaged with other options on the open market, including second baseman Brandon Lowe. Lowe received a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates, as reported by Sportsnet.
Because Toronto exceeded the competitive balance tax threshold, signing Lowe would carry additional penalties, including the loss of their second- and fifth-highest draft picks and $1 million from their international bonus pool, under the rules applicable at the start of the current free agency period.
Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks represents another alternative mentioned by Davidi. Acquiring Marte would require a trade and the player’s consent, as his ten years in the majors—including five consecutive seasons in Arizona—give him 10-and-5 rights to veto any deal.
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