You Like Jazz? Pros & Cons of Signing Jazz Chisholm Jr.
October 18, 2026 - Written by Cruz Cambero
JAZZ. CHISHOLM. 😤 He blasts a go-ahead 2-run bomb in the 9th to give the Yankees the lead! https://t.co/V9VUlsZtAC
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 11, 2026
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is one of the top offensive free agents on the market this upcoming offseason. Lately, there has been a lot of buzz that Chisholm might not be returning to the Bronx Bombers next year. One team that has been mentioned as a potential fit is the Los Angeles Angels. Yes, Jazz is a big-name player, but is he necessarily the best fit for the Angels? Here are some reasons why the Angels should and should not sign Chisholm.
The first thing to look at is Chisholm's age. He is only 28 years old and will turn 29 before the 2027 season begins. This is important because the Angels lack established players in the middle of their lineup who are entering their prime. Players like Mike Trout are on the later end of their careers, while young players like Denzer Guzman and Christian Moore are still trying to establish themselves in the major leagues. Zach Neto is another established young player, but adding someone like Chisholm could give the Angels another proven talent to build around.
One of the biggest reasons to consider signing Chisholm is his power and speed. While he is a career .245 hitter, there is much more to his game than his batting average. According to Baseball-Reference, Chisholm hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases in 2025, making him a member of the 30-30 club. He followed that up with 19 home runs and 41 stolen bases in 2026. Although his batting average dropped to .231 this past season, he still showed that he can provide a combination of power and speed that not many players can match.
For the Angels, that could be a huge addition. Trout and Neto can provide offensive production, but the Angels need more consistent threats throughout their lineup. Chisholm could give them another legitimate power hitter who can put pressure on opposing defenses with his speed. Imagine having Chisholm and Neto near the top of the lineup, with Trout providing power in the middle. That is the type of offensive potential the Angels could use as they try to get back into playoff contention.
However, there is a downside to Chisholm's offensive game. His career batting average of .245 and career on-base percentage of .315 show that he has not always been the most consistent hitter. His 2026 season was also a step back from his breakout 2025 campaign, when he posted an .813 OPS. This past season, his OPS dropped to .711. Chisholm's power and speed make him valuable even when he is not getting hits consistently, but the Angels need to be careful about expecting him to produce at the same level every year.
Another major reason to bring Chisholm to Anaheim is his versatility. Although he primarily plays second base, he has experience playing center field and third base as well. This could give the Angels some flexibility when putting together their lineup. Trout has also expressed more openness to moving to left field or spending more time at designated hitter. That could create an opportunity for Chisholm to play center field while allowing Moore to continue developing at his natural position of second base. Having multiple options in the field would give the Angels more ways to get their best players into the lineup.
But Chisholm offers something that does not show up on a stat sheet: personality.
The Angels have not exactly been the most exciting team to watch over the past few years. Between losing seasons, injuries, and failing to make the playoffs, it has been a rough stretch for Angels fans. The team has had its share of talented players, but it has struggled to give fans a consistent reason to get excited. Chisholm could help change that.
In June 2026, Chisholm made headlines when he was spotted taking the field with a green lollipop in his mouth during a Yankees game. Manager Aaron Boone was not thrilled about it and addressed the situation with him. As ESPN reported, the incident became a story of its own, with Boone making it clear that he did not want Chisholm doing it again.
Now, I am not saying the Angels should sign a player just because he likes to have fun. At the end of the day, baseball is about winning games, and Chisholm still needs to produce on the field. However, there is something to be said about having a player who brings energy and personality to a clubhouse. Chisholm is flashy, confident, and fun to watch. For a fan base that has endured so many losing seasons, adding someone like him could make following the team a little more exciting.
Of course, there is a difference between being entertaining and becoming a distraction. Chisholm's personality will not be for everyone, and his lollipop incident shows that his style can occasionally draw unwanted attention. The Angels would need to make sure his confidence translates into production and that he remains focused on helping the team win. Still, I would rather see the Angels take a chance on an exciting player who can change the energy around the team than continue putting out a product that struggles to capture fans' attention.
There are also concerns about his health. Chisholm has dealt with injuries throughout his career and finished the 2026 season on the injured list with a right thumb sprain. According to MLB.com, he was placed on the injured list in September after hurting his thumb while sliding into second base. This is something the Angels would need to consider before committing a significant amount of money to him. His speed is one of his greatest assets, so staying healthy will be important if he is going to continue producing at a high level. The Angels have already dealt with their fair share of injuries, particularly with Trout, and they cannot afford to ignore that risk.
The other concern is whether Chisholm can consistently produce at the level the Angels would expect from a major free-agent signing. His 2026 season included a .231 batting average, 19 home runs, a .711 OPS, and 157 strikeouts. Those numbers show that there is still room for improvement at the plate. If the Angels sign him, they need to believe that he can get back to the level he showed in 2025 rather than assume that season will automatically become the norm.
That is why the contract matters so much. The Angels have several needs to address this offseason, especially when it comes to pitching. Signing Chisholm would be exciting, but it would not make sense if it meant sacrificing the opportunity to improve the starting rotation or bullpen. The front office needs to build a complete team, not simply add another recognizable name and hope everything works out. Chisholm could make the Angels better, but the team still needs to make smart decisions with the rest of its roster.
Ultimately, I think the Angels should seriously consider signing Jazz Chisholm Jr. If I were Stan Kroenke, the incoming owner of the Angels, I would make Chisholm one of my first moves once the sale is finalized. I would offer him a three- or four-year deal worth around $18 million to $20 million per season. That would give the Angels an established player entering his prime without committing to an enormous long-term contract. However, if Chisholm wants more than that, the Angels should be willing to walk away. As exciting as he would be in Anaheim, one player is not worth sacrificing the team's ability to improve elsewhere.
Chisholm is not a perfect player, but his combination of power, speed, versatility, and personality could make him a valuable addition to Anaheim. The Angels have spent far too long watching other teams play meaningful baseball in October. They need more talent, better pitching, and a clear plan for the future. Signing Chisholm will not solve all those problems, but it could be a step in the right direction.
So, do you like Jazz? I do. Now it is time to see if the Angels are willing to dance.
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