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

The Miami Marlins' biggest move of their busy 2024 trade deadline was a deal that sent franchise star Jazz Chisholm to the New York Yankees. Any deal involving an All-Star-level player will surely draw ire from at least one fan base. However, there is a particular nuance that makes the Chisholm trade particularly difficult to grade.

How did the Marlins fair in this blockbuster? Let's look at the important factors.

Factor #1: The Superstar

Say what you want about Jazz. While he often seems to get labeled as a poor clubhouse presence or a player with character concerns, his on-field production cannot be ignored. Jazz has elite speed. He has plus power, particularly for a middle infielder or centerfielder. And he has played competent defense at three positions this season.

Chisholm also seems to be rounding into his prime. His previous career high in homers was 19 in 2023, his best stolen base season came in 2021 when he swiped 23 bags, and his best batting season was in 2022 when he posted a .254 average.

In 416 at-bats this season, Jazz has already set a new career-high in steals with 24 (with no signs of slowing down). His 17 homers and .252 average are also on the cusp of all-time highs.

If his current pace continues, a 30-hander 40-steal season could be in the cards. For context, only 21 players in MLB history have ever reached this mark.

There is no doubt that Miami traded a player with the potential to be a generational talent. This brings us to...

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.