Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the wrong Florida-based trade target for the Reds

The MLB trade deadline is under three weeks away and the hot stove rumors are starting to simmer as the Cincinnati Reds approach the All-Star Break. Cincinnati is on the razor’s edge between buyer and seller this season. While there has been some trade chatter centered around Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Miami Marlins' outfielder isn't the best fit for Cincinnati.

Another Florida-based trade candidate, Randy Arozarena, would make a lot more sense for the Reds. The 29-year-old left fielder has been rumored to be available on the trade market since December and would bolster any team’s offense despite currently enduring a career-worst year. Arozarena is hitting .203 with a .679 OPS.

Rays' OF Randy Arozarena would be a better fit with the Reds than Marlins' OF Jazz Chisholm Jr.

For his career, Arozarena has a .255/.344/.438 slash line and has accumulated 11.8 bWAR through five seasons. Arozarena hasn’t played under 140 games in a season since becoming a full-time starter for the Rays in 2021. The Cuban-born slugger has been a member of the 20/20 club in each of the last three seasons. He is also a proven commodity in both the regular season and the playoffs.

Chisholm is younger and cheaper financially — set to make $2.6 million this season versus Arozarena’s $8.1 million salary. But Chisholm is not a particularly good defensive centerfielder and has only once surpassed 100 games played in a season.

The Reds and President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall will get the chance to get a good look at Chisholm this weekend with the Marlins in Cincinnati ahead of the All-Star break.

Both Arozarena and Chisholm are under team-control for two more seasons which means any team looking to acquire either one will likely need to part with a substantial number of prospects. If the Reds are looking to make a run at the playoffs, then Tampa Bay’s outfielder should be the one they're gunning for, not Miami’s.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors