Former baseball executive David Samson is no stranger to voicing his opinions, but he did so specifically about Yankees fan favorite Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Samson, who served as the Marlins’ team president from 2002-2017, described Chisholm, acquired in a trade with Miami over the weekend, as “average” during an appearance on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stuggotts” on Wednesday.
“I know you’re excited for him because he’s been leading the way. [MLB The Show 23]”I think it’s a good thing,” Samson said after acknowledging that as an executive he hoped every player he traded would fail.
“That’s all [Derek] Jeter does that. This whole story about Jeter being his idol is ridiculous. The Jazz needed to get traded from this team and the fact that he was dealt to the Yankees doesn’t matter what happens to them. He’s not a star, he’s not the center of attention.
“He’s off to a good start, so he might have the false sense of awareness that he’s the center of attention. But wait until he goes 1-for-13 in New York. In Miami, there’s one camera and he’s ignored. In New York, he’s on the back page of the Post. So be careful what you wish for.”
Samson, who left the Marlins organization before Chisholm joined the team in 2019, isn’t the only one to criticize Chisholm. Published by The Athletic A survey of 59 players across the league rated Chisholm as the most overrated player in baseball.
Samson was also pursuing Chisholm. Earlier this year, he was arrested for comments he made about former teammate Miguel Rojas on a podcast.
Chisholm quickly became a favorite with Yankees fans and made history by hitting four home runs in his first three games in pinstripes, becoming the first Bronx slugger in franchise history.
He had one more hit and drove in a run in the Yankees’ win over the Phillies on Wednesday afternoon.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that the front office did a thorough search before the trade and is comfortable that Chisholm will be a good fit with the team.
“We did a lot of research on him and we’re very excited to acquire him,” Cashman said on a conference call. “He’s obviously very athletic and has a lot of fun playing the game. After doing an extensive search, we felt he was a great fit for our team and a great player for coach Aaron Boone to use.”
