Jorge Soler is one of the better hitters still available in free agency. He’s surely seeking a multi-year deal on the heels of a 36-homer campaign that led him to decline a $13MM player option with the Marlins.
At the beginning of the month, Soler told reporters in Cuba that Miami hadn’t shown any interest in a reunion. A return to South Florida still seems a long shot. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote yesterday the Fish have had some contact with the free agent slugger but would likely only bring him back on a cheap deal.
The Marlins opted against a $20.325MM qualifying offer at the start of the offseason. While that wasn’t surprising for a low-payroll franchise, it didn’t bode well for their chances of re-signing him. Even if Soler doesn’t secure that kind of salary on an annual basis, he should handily surpass that guarantee over a two- or three-year term.
Boston, Seattle, Arizona and Toronto have reportedly shown interest in Soler at points this offseason. Of that group, the Blue Jays appear the strongest suitor. The Mariners and D-Backs are almost certainly out; Seattle signed Mitch Garver and acquired Mitch Haniger, while Arizona re-signed Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and agreed to a $12.5MM deal with Joc Pederson this evening.
The Red Sox are still open to adding a right-handed bat, but Boston officials have indicated they’re working without much payroll flexibility. They reportedly didn’t want to go beyond two guaranteed years for Teoscar Hernández; it’s possible they’re taking a similar approach with Soler.
On the other hand, the Jays clearly remain involved in the market. TSN’s Scott Mitchell tweeted this morning that Toronto’s interest in Soler is “very real.” Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote tonight the sides remain engaged in discussions. The Jays still have a clear need for offensive help, particularly at designated hitter. Toronto allowed Brandon Belt to hit free agency and hasn’t landed a replacement.
Roster Resource projects the Jays right at the $237MM base luxury tax threshold. They surpassed the threshold in 2023, so they’ll be taxed at the rate for second-time payors this year. They’d owe a 32% tax on spending between $237MM and $257MM with escalating penalties beyond the $257MM mark.
Padres? One can dream.
I think he goes west but goes to the Angels. They need a DH. He would likely be primarily a DH.
Yeah he’d be a good fit. Although there’s been talk of them wanting to keep DH open for Trout and Rendon. But they need 2 more bats as the league caught up to Moniak in the second half.
Rhys Hoskins was my first FA choice as he has been consistent sense day 1 and mashes LHP, i also assume it would be a 2 yr deal with opt out after 1. I keep going back between JD and Soler. JD makes great contact and has power but at age 35 he could fall off a cliff production wise at anytime. Soler is the highest ceiling and lowest floor and he goes from bad to ok to good seasons. I think with the better protection in the jays line up then he had in KC will give him better pitches to hit. I think the jays have to add a 4th year to get it done so im thinking a 4 years and 64M for a 16AAV or 3 years 54M for a 18AAV. Thoughts?
I also thought the jays should for a dh instead, trade Zulueta there AAA bullpen prospect whos in the 98 range and a bullpen are like Yimi Garcia or Trevor Richards to philly for Nick Castellanos, he has 3 amd 60M remaining so the phillys would have to pay that down to 46-50 range for that deal to work. Philly can sign a bat with money saved and enhance there bullpen
Phillies aren’t trading Castellanos for that package. They have no outfield depth as it is. Harper is playiing first base. Schwarber is DHing almost full time. Rojas can’t hit. The Phillies aren’t getting in on Bellinger & there isn’t any other big time outfield options available.
Martinez is a much better investment than Soler. Martinez just strikes me as one of those hitters like Nelson Cruz that could wake up and hit at 40 while still half asleep in their pajamas. Regardless many very good hitters can hit fine at age 35-36. He’s healthy. That’s the main thing.
People should stop comparing these two guys twiddle de and dwindle dumb will not sigh either one of them
No chance Soler gets that type of payday, especially with so few real suitors in the market and so many players still available. Jays could have had him at those numbers anytime this offseason. I assume they scoop him up at numbers well below what you’ve said. 3 / $36 or even 2 / $28 with an opt out. He’s put himself in a tough negotiating position, especially with him being so consistently inconsistent.
No mention of JD which is surprising. I’d take his regression over Solers upside all day.
I mean Solers upside is better than JD’s regression though if we’re going that route
Only 3 20 hr seasons out of Soler vs Martinez at 8. 30 hr seasons? That’s still 2 to 5 Martinez.
If the bats the calling card it’s no question who you take. Now you throw the career avg into play and it’s even worse.
Solers a career below .250 hitter. Martinez? Just shy of .290.
We can go on an on but banking on soler is like that king of the hill episode where hank makes Bobby smoke an entire carton in a day and not expecting to get sick in the process.
But hey lead the soler upside charge for everyone.
The Blues jays will sign neither one of these to guys so why try to make a decision on either one . Management believe the Jays are fine with what is left.
Red Sox will get outbid as they’re probably trying to give him 500k.
He obviously not getting offers like he expected or he’d be signed already.
Jays probably have the high bid and are waiting him out. He’s streaky and on dimensional so I doubt there is suddenly going to be a surge of interest.
Blue Jays waiting for him out, till someone else ends up signing him . Oops again
Guardians make sense for me. Team couldn’t hit homers and he gives them at least 25 if their DH position isn’t completely tied up.
San Fran or Tampa
Redsox are going with youth. I love it
Good chance Soler gets a multi year deal at a less aav then Martinez and Turner. Though the others likely will sign a one year deal.
Who is spending money that needs a dh type. Jays seems likely to land one and likely want soler because he can still play some outfield.
Maybe the Mets take one of the others. Starting to get hard to see a vast market for any of these guys. Maybe the giants decide to add one of them. Seattle doesn’t seem to be spending any money. I guess the angles could be in play, rangers?
There just isn’t a lot of spending teams that seem to be willing to pay for a dh.
Lots of teams seem just fine sitting back and waiting for prices to drop.
Soler would be the 8th best defensive outfielder on the roster behind Kiermaier, Varsho, Springer, Schneider, Biggio, Espinal and IKF. He’d get a few games out there to keep his bat in the lineup, but not many. They better pay him like a DH.
Oops there goes another guy “the Blue Jays were interested in”, the list keeps getting longer and longer for these two twits currently running this organization
He was never in Cuba lol
Having been to Cuba, I’m fairly certain reporters have phones there.
Soler himself was never in Cuba, this interview took place in front of me in Miami.
The article said “he told reporters in Cuba”, not that he was IN Cuba… Not worded perfectly, but it doesn’t say exactly where he was. (But, it sounds like he was hanging out with you.)
… behind my back?
Astros should offer 1/15 or 2/24.
I doubt he’ll get much more than what he turned down in 2024.. but he maybe able to find a multi year deal before he ages out.
13M AAV + bonuses sounds about right based on his stat sheet.
Giants are sleeper team here after missing on Hoskins
Quiet around here on Soler. Most M’s fans have moved on …..but I haven’t!
Mariners trading Ty France for Polanco
Raley to 1B
Soler in the RF/DH carousel for 3/39
Instead Mariners will see to it , to spend 2 million each on 6 players for 12 million and save 1m. Ahh springs right around the corner and we’re atleast another middle order bat short
Me: Jerry where is the rest… where is the rest Jerry….. the money JERRY… Tell me WHERE IS THE REST OF THE MONEY!!!
Jerry: I gave it to Ted beneke
Me: no .. no … no no no ahhhh
hahahaha
Haha. Ha
Haaaa