Slugger Jorge Soler opted out of the final season of his three-year, $36MM contract with the Marlins following the 2023 season, and while there’s been plenty of speculation about a potential reunion, Soler himself told reporters Tuesday that his former club hasn’t shown interest in re-signing him. “There has been no contact with the Marlins,” Soler told Yordano Carmona of Pelota Cubana and others at a training event hosted by the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation.
Early in the offseason, the Marlins were reported to have some level of interest in retaining Soler, but whatever interest they did or did not have apparently hasn’t resulted in talks between the two parties. The Mariners, Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Blue Jays have all been tied to Soler, to varying extents, over the past month. (Notably, the Mariners have signed Mitch Garver to a two-year contract and reacquired Mitch Haniger since first being linked to Soler, which could take them out of the running.) Whether any has made a formal offer isn’t clear, but with fellow righty-swinging slugger Teoscar Hernandez now off the board to the Dodgers, it’s possible Soler’s market could accelerate.
Soler, 32 in February, bashed 36 home runs and hit .250/.341/.512 in 580 trips to the plate with the Fish this past season. He did so while registering a 24.3% strikeout rate and 11.4% walk rate that both represent the second-best marks of his career. He posted an above-average .242/.326/.462 slash against right-handed opponents (110 wRC+) and absolutely demolished lefties with a .277/.393/.688 batting line that landed 81% better than league-average (181 wRC+).
Beyond the raw offensive output, Soler continued to post his annual brand of tantalizing batted-ball metrics; he averaged 91.3 mph off the bat and saw 48% of his batted balls top 95 mph. Both of those marks placed Soler in the top 20% of big league hitters, and he ranked in the top nine percent of MLB hitters with a 15% barrel rate.
Thunderous contact has long been a part of Soler’s game, but so have prodigious strikeout totals and questionable defense. His recent contact improvements have perhaps assuaged some concerns about the strikeouts. Soler recorded career-best contact rates on pitches in the strike zone (85.4%) and off the plate (60.1%) in 2023, leading to a career-high 75% overall contact rate. It’s still below the league average, but no longer egregiously so. And, for a player with this type of light-tower power, teams will typically live with some holes in the swing.
However, there’s no getting around the defensive concerns. Soler is best deployed as a primary designated hitter at this point. His once plus sprint speed has fallen to 26.6 feet per second (26th percentile of MLB hitters), and his arm strength clocks into just the 57th percentile. Miami trotted him out for just 241 innings of defense in right field last season, and most public metrics were quite down on his performance there (-5 Defensive Runs Saved, -3.1 Ultimate Zone Rating, -3 Outs Above Average).
A new club could still play Soler in the outfield on occasion — particularly with strikeout-heavy and/or grounder-heavy starters on the mound — and trust that he’ll at least make routine plays, but it seems doubtful any team would view him as an everyday corner outfield option. That said, there are very few power bats available on the open market this offseason, making Soler’s 36-homer platform year all the more appealing.
Soler has had roller-coaster of a career at the plate to some extent, but by measure of wRC+ he’s had just one below-average year overall dating back to 2018. In total, he’s slashed .243/.334/.486 over his past 2598 trips to the plate — numbers that don’t include his .242/.342/.606 postseason showing with the ’21 Braves, when he was named World Series MVP after belting three homers and plating six runs in the Fall Classic. He’s also considerably younger than fellow free agent DH candidates like J.D. Martinez (36) and Justin Turner (39), which could add to his appeal among teams seeking some right-handed thump.
Soler’s original three-year contract with the Marlins was signed when now-former general manager Kim Ng was running the team’s baseball operations. Ng declined her end of a mutual option at the beginning of the offseason, and the Marlins hired Rays general manager Peter Bendix as their new president of baseball operations.
Surprised tbh, Garcia is not good at all…
Probably Soler’s asking price is deterring the Marlins and other teams.
I’d be willing to bet it’s because Peter Bendix runs the Marlins. Coming from the Rays, an org that never sign these volatile power hitters coming off strong seasons.
When comparing Soler to JDM and Turner, age isn’t as big a factor as I’m assuming Soler is looking for a longer deal.
They got the good year out of him they needed
Honestly put this man in the right park he hits 40 hrs and bats 260 and up. I would love him in Arizona.
I’d think the right lineup matters more so than the right ballpark. He did well in his ’21 stint with ATL playing with some studs. I don’t think he’s missing out on many HR or XBH in large parks, but he needs some protection to be pitched to. In MIA, he got none of that. Regardless, you’re looking at a 2-WAR DH, which has limited appeal on a multiple-year agreement right now, while JD Martinez remains unsigned.
I’d recommend SEA for either of Soler and/or Duvall so they don’t depend too much on Haniger & Canzone’s 1st full year, and they can get some power without breaking the bank.
I loved him when he in Atlanta; seems to be a really solid guy with a ton of power.
We’ll always have the GIF that keeps giving. SolerPower. Bang that can.
send that man to coors right now
Sure, it’d be nice, but he already hits them hard — he doesn’t need high-elevation to HR. More like, send IKF to Coors where he needs a catapult, prayer and Hollywood writers to send it over the fence.
Even State Farm now recognizes COL signing a free agent as an “act of god”.
Colorado is baseball purgatory at this point, only the wasted go there to play
This franchise is an embarrassment to the sport. Not because they aren’t trying to sign Soler, but because they haven’t tried to do anything this off season.
They have some star players they need to extend, and their revenue profile is extremely weak.
They are projected at 90M in payroll lol. That is a joke for a team placed in a top ten MSA by population. I still cant believe they gave that insane extension to Stanton
14th in media market size. They have killed the fanbase so no attendance.
“and their revenue profile is extremely weak.”
They get more than their current payroll from revenue sharing. Unless their “revenue profile” is negative, they can sign a few players and be fine.
Chemo850; marlins were a wild card last year and the Mets with the huge payroll were out of if June. So they must be doing something right.
Sounds like you think if a team doesn’t over pay for a free agent that they aren’t doing anything
Dude who’s talking about overpaying anyone? Do you even watch baseball? They haven’t so much as even given minimum level contract this off season to anyone. Multiple reasonable guys have been signed that could have helped this team. And making the playoffs this past year is all the more reason for these people to actually be active this off season. Instead they’ve mailed it in already.
“Chemo850; marlins were a wild card last year and the Mets with the huge payroll were out of if June. So they must be doing something right.”
It was their first full-season playoff appearance in two decades, they had a -57 run differential, and then they essentially fired their GM. I wouldn’t exactly say they’re doing a lot right.
Sandy is out for the year a, their best power hitter is walking , and they signed nobody .
@Chemo850
What do they really need? The only item they need to fill right now is at SS.
As crazy as it sounds, this may be one of the years that we can’t bash them for not breaking the bank. They are a playoff caliber team. They shouldn’t just spend just to spend. They should never be one of those teams trying to make moves just for the sake of making headlines. All we need is that SS and we’re ready to go.
Also of note, after we get a SS, I prefer to save the rest of the money for payroll flexibility at the trade deadline. Let’s get teh team on the field like last season, then see where we are at the deadline, then work on our holes. If we blow the bank now, we may get stuck with commitments we don’t need or want, just like we already are with Avi Garcia.
They desperately need a catcher. Everyone obsesses over their need at SS, but they had probably the worst production of any team at the catcher spot. They have no internal solutions there either. They have plenty of candidates for SS despite no concrete answer. They also desperately need one more bullpen arm and a first baseman. Josh Bell shouldn’t be allowed near a glove ever.
Herrera to Miami for Luzardo or Cabrera would’ve made sense if they tendered Knizner. Doesn’t seem like STL will trade for a starter at this point. Would be nice, though.
Too bad we’re going to need our dh spot for Buxton most of the year. Twins do need to cut back on their record breaking strikeout totals however, so Soler probably wouldn’t be a fit even if we could afford him…
Trade Buxton
No trade clause. And who would be willing to take him at this point anyways lol?
Eat the contract and someone else can see if he can still play CF. It’s not about the money. That is long gone and not coming back. The Twins have one of the 5 richest ownership groups so no excuses. It’s about freeing up a roster spot/plying time for younger, better, healthier players
Hey, I’m all for it if we can find a trade partner. Hopefully willing to give up big league starting pitching….
The Twins aren’t eating thar contract. Might as well see if he can bounce back.
What younger better healthier players is Buxton blocking?
Why have Buxton hit at DH when he’s in the low .200’s? Honestly, it’s time to move on from Buxton. He’s a liability everywhere. Tears up the ball for a month, then regresses and/or gets injured.
Would love Soler as our Rangers DH, but I have faith in Wyatt Langford.
One season with a bWAR> 1.8. Maybe that’s Miami’s issue.
The issue is that we have an OF of De La Cruz and Sanchez and Avi Garcia at the corners. We’re stuck with Garcia, soe we need one of these guys to DH because De La Cruz and Sanchez will be in the lineup..
The Marlins are probably going to flop this season, anyway. Ridiculous good luck last year in one-run games despite a big negative run diff. They’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’.
Negative. We’re going to be even better in 2024, and luck’ll have nothing to do with it. Get rid of Avi Garcia. Sign J.D. Martinez or promote Troy Johnston and Dane Myers if you want more pop in the lineup. Play Xavier Edwards at SS. Sign Luis Arraez to an extension. Keep the pitching staff intact. Don’t worry about Soler and revenue streams. This team has a shot at 90 wins and an opportunity to do some serious damage. Marlins fans just need to have a little faith (which can be tough at times, I’ll admit – but I, for one, believe in this team).
Good luck on turning around that -57 run diff with the so-so moves you mention. This is far from a good team, even if it lucked into the playoffs last year.
@MARLIN POWER 18 It would be easier to believe in the team if they weren’t trying to trade Lazardo and also not trying to sign an obvious need at DH.
Seems like instead of trying to build on a really good step forward last year, they want to pause any progress
I applaud your optimistism but I really think you are mistaken. Luck had a lot to do with 2023’s playoff appearance. They had a -57 run differential. Your ace had a down year and is now out for the season. Sign JD? The Marlins don’t throw money around like that. If getting rid of Garcia was that easy they would have done it. You have to worry about Soler because how do replace that production? Your betting on Josh Bell to be the guy he was in the second half and that’s a real risk. The guy didn’t bet on himself. Very telling in today’s market. And if you want to resign Arraez how are you not worrying about revenue streams? He’s already priced himself out of Miami so enjoy him while he’s around. I think .500 is a more realistic season to expect.
@CaseyAbell
@Slow day at work
@Chris from NJ
Thank you for your thoughts, guys. One of the biggest problems the Marlins face is an inability to draft and develop solid position players (like Texas, Cincinnati, and Baltimore). This puts us at a disadvantage when trying to assemble a solid lineup. We then have to depend on Bruce Sherman to open his wallet and increase payroll – not a very likely scenario. I’m hopeful that Peter Bendix and his crew can address these questions and find both short- and long-term answers. In the meantime, I can’t help but remain optimistic – I’ve been a fan since the beginning (1993).
Anyone who assumes that the Marlins did something in 2023 that’s not easily duplicated by them with the 1-run record clearly wasn’t paying attention the previous two seasons. The Marlins have been playing low-scoring close games for the last few seasons. The difference in 2023 was that the first half Puk filled the Closer role nicely, then after he faltered and Robertson faltered upon his arrival too, Scott filled the role in teh second half. Anyone that has paid attention to the actual game results for the Marlins for the last three seasons that they have been leading close games into the late innings for the last three seasons – and the only decider has been whether the bullpen has been able to hold the lead or not.
If the Marlins have someone stabilize the Closer role again, they will have the same type of season they had in 2023. If they don’t, it’ll be like 2021 and 2022 when the bullpen didn’t find a lead they couldn’t blow. Again, anyone that thinks 2023 isn’t repeatable, hasn’t been paying attention for the last three seasons.
@MarlinsFanBase
Absolutely. One hundred percent. What you’ve just stated should be obvious to Fish fans but not so much to outsiders looking in. So it bears repeating. And the two-part solution going forward is simple: Elevate the offense, and keep the bullpen strong. It’s not rocket science, and it doesn’t require an LA Dodgers- or NY Mets-type budget.
Whoops.
This seems like a good place for the Red Sox to invest some of the money they were willing to spend on Hernández. I have to imagine Soler would have a lot of fun hitting in Fenway.
Would you prefer to bring jd Martinez back over soler?
Martinez is older and has had his time here. Plus, we don’t know if his power numbers will be better than Soler’s.
I agree with CBP! It seems clear to me that Breslow is doing his best to clean out the attic of past baggage (the Sale and Verdugo trades are smart and practical, but also, I think, a bit symbolic), and having a visible reminder of the previous era around the clubhouse would not fit his MO.
He’d be fun to watch hit in Colorado!
I think just about any team could so that power bat; problem is that so many teams have the DH spot blocked.
I actually wish Atlanta had him instead of Ozuna at DH.
Aside from ozuna’s legal trouble, why would you want soler over him? Ozuna hit 40 bombs and had 100 RBI and a better average. He’s the better dh. And career wise Ozuna has the better numbers on a year to year basis, just look at his war compared to soler. Yes ozuna had two lackluster years in a row, before he started mashing again, but I have belief that he will be closer to last years form, than the 2 years before that.
If the Sox offer to Teo was only 2/28, I can’t see them in on Soler.
I’d love to just plant him in front of the monster, tolerate his defense and watch him mash.
As good as he was in Miami last year, I had a feeling Peter wouldn’t try to resign him. Just not his style. Not to mention Soler will prob get at least 2 years and 15 million annually.
Bet he’s targeting a DH option on a one year deal at a lower cost later in the off-season once market dries up (someone like Carlos Santana or Brandon Belt). As well as an everyday shortstop and possible catcher vis trade, to push Fortes to the minors and Berti into a UT role.
Make no mistake about it this team DOES need at least 2-3 more bats from what they currently have on the active 40 man to have a chance of making the playoffs in 2024.
I’m thinking Soler is looking at a $2/25 or maybe he’d get $15 on a 1 year deal.
I don’t think he’s any more valuable than Garver who got a 2/24. Neither should be playing the field w/ regularity.
@stretch123
Without a doubt, we need more firepower in the lineup – guys who are smart situational hitters with good contact rates and a decent amount of pop. Either we find them via a cost-effective FA acquisition (or savvy trade), or some of own guys’ll have to elevate their game. But I’d like to see us score about 100 more runs this year.
I like Soler but IMO theres no fit on the Mariners at this point w Garver in the fold. Soler should not be playing the field
Perfect fit for the Jays in my opinion, i have him as a Jay in the FA Prediction Contest!!!!
This marriage seems to make the most sense with the Jays. It looks like the Marlins won’t make a move here unless he runs out of possibilities and becomes a sell low candidate. He does have a balky back and his record of success historically has been hit/ miss. I think the Marlins are leaving the slot machine feeling like they cashed their jackpot win out of last year’s results.
2nd most playoff wins in the past 10 years, but I guess fans of teams that sit home most Octobers have plenty of time to focus on teams that are always there
statmuse.com/mlb/ask/most-mlb-teams-playoff-wins-l…
Dodgers are the biggest playoff disappointment of the last 20 years. Outside of the asterisk year, dodgers are expected to win it all and fail every year. Dodgers have been trying to buy a World Series and fail miserably. Biggest joke of a franchise in all of sports.
Best comment of 2024!! Thanks
Gotta love baseball’s juiced balls making guys like Soler think they are good.
Can he play RF lol. It’s not like Pittsburgh is winning anything this year. Yeah, I know, not happening and his defense is horrible. Pirates need some thump in the lineup and McCutchen is taken the DH role. Can he be an extra hitter for our first baseman lmao!
As for Soler and the Marlins, has everyone not noticed that there’s no room for him since De La Cruz and Sanchez have secured jobs, and the Marlins are stuck with Avi Garcia? There are only two coner OF spots and one DH spot – three in total for these three players. Marlins don’t need to make the same mistake that Ng did in having both Soler and Garcia on the roster with both De La Cruz and Sanchez improving.
I know this is the wishful thinking bug and there is zero chance it’s happening, but I still wish the Braves would go after him.