Miami Marlins: Grading the Jazz Chisholm for Agustin Ramirez Blockbuster Trade

Factor #2: The Franchise Timeline

The former All-Star was the Marlins' single most valuable asset. It is worth noting that Jazz's salary is poised to increase each year of arbitration before he hits free agency in 2027. This places the historically small market Marlins in a tough position.

However, Chisholm is still only 26 years old. And he is on a relatively team-friendly deal until 2027. It is well within Miami's means to have locked in their star for the short-term future.

Does it make sense for a club in full rebuild mode to retain a star player? Perhaps! Consider the Atlanta Braves during their most recent rebuild. The club chose to keep franchise star Freddie Freeman on a struggling roster as their waited for stars like Ronald Acuna, Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson to hit the majors.

This move allowed Atlanta to keep the fanbase connected during the lean years, while simultaneously making them stronger when their young core began to hit its stride.

Is there a model here that the Marlins could have followed? It certainly appears as though there is a healthy president to keep Jazz in 2025 and beyond.

All these things considered, the success of the deal boils down to an all-to-important third factor...

Factor #3: Agustin Ramirez

Catcher Agustin Ramirez was the headliner of the Marlins' trade. In a vacuum, it is disappointing that Bendix could not convert his star into a top-100 prospect. However, Ramirez does have a unique upside.

Catcher is a thin position across MLB. If the new Marlin can develop into a plus backstop he could immediately end the purgatory of mediocre players like Nick Fortes, Christian Bethancourt, Jacob Stallings, etc.

Ramirez has elite power potential, with his exit velocity and home run production in the minors further fueling excitement. If he continues this path, becoming a player like former Yankee Gary Sanchez likely represents a realistic floor. If things break better in his young career, perhaps a more accurate player comparison is Oakland's Shea Langeliers.

And, if Ramirez truly hits his stride, it is not outside the possibility that Ramirez could become to the Marlins what Francisco Alvarez has become to the NL East rival Mets. In fact, Ramirez's unique combination of power and speed (he stole 12 bases in 2022, 13 in 2023, and a minor league career-high 19 in 2024), carry shades of a player Miami fans are super familiar with: formal superstar catcher JT Realmuto.

It must be noted that Ramirez needs to develop his raw skills to reach the loftiest of these player comps. Also, his defensive skills must improve dramatically if he truly intends to be a game-changing backstop.

If these two areas do not move forward as fans hope, there is a realistic chance that Ramirez could settle in as more of a first base/DH player. This still has value. But not as much as a premier catcher might have.

Factor #4: The Rest of the Package

Prospect Jared Serna, whom the Marlins also received in their package for Jazz, may have the potential to move the needle. His combination of a 5'7", 168lb frame, with solid power and good-but-not-great speed is odd. But his overall profile is intriguing.

In his four professional seasons, Serna has posted a career .267/.362/.446 slash line with 41 home runs and 183 RBI across 309 games. Perhaps Serna can carve out a role as a poor man's Jose Altuve or Dustin Pedroia.

Abraham Ramirez, who was also sent to Miami in the trade, is a 19-year-old prospect with limited upside. He is a solid contact hitter, batting .333 in his time in the Yankees' system, while also flashing notable defensive flexibility. To date, he has 42 starts at second base, 36 starts at third base, 13 starts in the outfield, and has appeared in one game at shortstop.

The Marlins hope that Serna can develop into a serviceable MLB option, with a likely ceiling as an everyday role player. Inversely, Abraham Ramirez likely tops out as a super-utility bench option.

The Verdict

The Jazz deal remains the most nuanced and difficult to grade. On one hand, the Fish received at least one high-upside prospect at a key position in Agustin Ramirez. The inclusion of Serna is also an exciting sweetener.

However, when you consider the established upside of Jazz Chisholm, it is disappointing that Miami was unable to land a lottery ticket in MLB's top 100 prospects. This is especially painful considering the aforementioned fact that the Marlins did not have to part ways with the former franchise superstar.

Bendix and company could have done worse in the deal. But it is difficult to believe that there could have been a window to net a larger return.

At the end of the day, Miami receives a middling grade for this deadline blockbuster.

Final Marlins' Trade Grade: C