Insider Links 2 Contenders To Jorge Soler

One of the top bats on the free agent market (non-Ohtani Division), is Jorge Soler. According to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, two notable teams are considering adding the former Miami Marlins slugger — the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. 

The #Mariners and #DBacks have expressed interest in free-agent OF/DH Jorge Soler, per @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/WuyF6IzxLU

— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) December 8, 2023

No question that both of these teams are hoping to add some offensive punch to their lineups in 2024, and Soler and his 36 home runs would do the trick. He's coming off his first All-Star season in 2023, and posted a .512 slugging, .853 OPS and an OPS+ of 128 (28% better than the average major leaguer.)

The D'Backs, coming off their World Series appearance, are not resting on their laurels, already adding to their squad this offseason by acquiring third baseman Eugenio Suarez, and signing top left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a 4-year, $80M free agent deal. Rosenthal notes that the team is looking specifically for a right-handed hitter who could bat in the middle of the order. Sounds like Soler to us. 

The Mariners, who, incidentally, sent Suarez to Phoenix, are also hoping to beef up their lineup, and are considering the power of Soler. 

But both teams are also looking at other options, says Rosenthal, including the trade market, "and ultimately might prefer to spread their money among several hitters rather than one expensive addition."

Soler, 31, is expected to command a multi-year deal worth in excess of $15M per season. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports