Should the Marlins go after Jorge Soler?

The Miami Marlins have a big hole in their lineup and they are looking to fill it this off-season. The biggest issue they are facing however is that they don’t want to spend money and to get a quality power hitter it’s going to cost them. There is one known quantity on the free agency wire, Jorge Soler, but do Marlins coaches and fans want him back? What better replacement for Jorge Soler than Jorge Soler.

The Marlins are talking with Jorge Soler

We have written many articles with possible solutions for the position left vacant by Soler. J.D. Martinez has been the most frequented replacement and he would be a great fit. Martinez however is a similar player to Soler, with little to no versatility. Martinez on the other hand was very good last year hitting 33 home runs, driving in 103, and slashing .271/.321/.572 with an OPS of .893. Martinez is a 6 time All-Star and has tons of playoff experience as well. 

Jorge Soler on the other hand had a big year last year and it was his first All-Star selection. It is very easy to see why teams would want Soler but he has one major drawback, playing a whole season. In his 2 seasons in Miami he played in 137 games last season and only 72 his first season, whereas previously he only played 2 other seasons over his 10 year career that would be considered full seasons. 

Soler did have a great season last year hitting 36 home runs, driving in 75, and slashing .250/.341/.512 with an OPS at .853. That alone will have other teams want him and if he can repeat that production he is definitely wanted by Miami fans and staff alike to return next year. They are in talks with him to return but the biggest reason not to want him, like Martinez is he is a DH first with playing over 100 games at DH. Soler did play 32 games in the outfield versus Martinez’ 3 but the previous year he played 38. Finally, the Marlins star struck out 25% of the time and Martinez 31% so that disparity is notable, especially during Kim Ng’s era but will Bendix prioritize other things?

Besides both Soler and Martinez who are two of the best power hitters on the market there is a handful of other players who are free agents to consider. Cody Bellinger is available and he hit 26 home runs and drove in 97 last year, as well as Teoscar Hernandez who hit 26 home runs and drove in 93. Those are both solid options, and the next tier of options would be Rhys Hoskins and Justin Turner but the free agent market is thinning. The time to act if they want a free agent is now.  I would much rather a more adaptable player and I think Soler is too limited in that role for the value so I would pass with the caveat that we can get another power hitter to take on that role from the four above free agents or via trade. 

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