Marlins win arbitration hearing against Jazz Chisholm Jr.

[Ely Sussman]

Chisholm had been seeking a $2.9M salary in his first year of arbitration eligibility, but the panel sided with the club.

An arbitration panel has ruled that Jazz Chisholm Jr. will make a $2.625M salary for the 2024 season, as reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post on Thursday. Chisholm and the Marlins went to a hearing this week after being unable to bridge a $275k gap in the salary figures they filed (Chisholm had filed for $2.9M).

Last season, Chisholm slashed .250/.304/.457 with a 103 wRC+ and 22 stolen bases, producing 1.9 fWAR in 97 games played. On a rate basis, those numbers are extremely similar to his career norms. He did that while transitioning to a new defensive home: center field. Chisholm had stints on the injured list for right turf toe and a left oblique strain. The former required offseason surgery, but he'll be at full strength for the start of Spring Training.

On the current free agent market, even considering his lack of durability, Chisholm would be valued at a salary that is many multiples higher than the figures exchanged in this case. His agility and bat speed are exceptional, he can contribute at a premium defensive position and he just turned 26 years old.

That's a moot point, however. In arbitration, the sides present arguments for their proposed salary based on the precedent set by other players who have comparable major league service time (Chisholm is at three years and 75 days). Chisholm will have to wait until after the 2026 season to test free agency (unless he is released prior to that).

As the roster is currently constructed, Chisholm would be the eighth-highest paid Marlin this season.

In total, 18 MLB players are scheduled to go to arbitration hearings between now and February 16, including Miami's Luis Arraez and Tanner Scott.

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[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm always pulling for the player in arbitration so okay, I guess.

[Slacker Mills]

Ely, your next competition: Have readers choose three players that will join the Marlins prior to the start of the regular season. Mine are Gary Sanchez (free agent catcher), Cedanne Rafaela (SS) and Everson Periera. (CF)