MLB Rumors: Jorge Soler Free Agent Market Takes a Twist

January 30, 2024 , , ,


Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have signed free agent Justin Turner to play DH in 2024, it's apparent that their interest in slugger Jorge Soler is done with. As noted by Jays beat writer Ben Nicholson-Smith, "If the Jays had offered Jorge Soler $45 million over three (years), he would be a Blue Jay. It’s that simple.” But Toronto obviously prefered to go one year with Turner for $13M.

And the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were also said to be one of the favorites along with Toronto to land Soler, recently signed Rhys Hoskins, so that took them out of the running as well.

So where does that leave Soler? According to baseball insider Robert Murray, a "mystery team" has entered the picture, perhaps buoyed by the fact that the slugger hasn't been able to get his asking price, and now might have to drop his demands.

No question that Soler had a tremendous campaign in 2023, blasting 36 homers for the Miami Marlins to go along with an .853 OPS and an OPS+ of 128. As a result, he opted out of a $13 million salary for 2024. But there's no ignoring that he is a volatile player whose performance fluctuates wildly from season to season. In 10 years in the majors, he has a .243 average, a .797 OPS and a 113 OPS+. Last year's 36 dingers was the first time he'd come anywhere even close to the 48 long balls he blasted in 2019. 

And while there's no word yet on who this "mystery team" is that's entered the bidding, we've heard some projections in recent days that the Boston Red Sox could be a fit. Perhaps with his two biggest bidders dropping out, Soler's price will now have to drop just far enough for the Beantowners to get involved. 


Photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports



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