Mariners "emerging as the favorites" to trade for Jazz Chisholm Jr.

[Ely Sussman]

From the "around the basepaths" section in Bob Nightengale's weekly USA Today column: "The Miami Marlins have been hoping they could trade center fielder Jazz Chisholm all season, with the Seattle Mariners emerging as the favorites to land him."

It's a timely report considering that Chisholm played second base for the Marlins on Saturday, snapping a two-year drought since he last occupied the position. Julio Rodríguez has center field covered in Seattle, so 2B is the logical fit for Chisholm there. Mariners second basemen are collectively slashing .199/.294/.307 (80 wRC+) this season with a hideous 29.8 K%.

The Mariners are seeking their first AL West title since 2001. Less than a month ago, they held a 10-game lead in the division, but that has rapidly shrunk to one game as the Houston Astros continue to surge.

With a farm system that's led by young, toolsy hitters—Colt Emerson, Lazaro Montes, Cole Young, Jonny Farmelo and Harry Ford—the Mariners match up well with what the Marlins are reportedly seeking to jumpstart their rebuild.

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