The Miami Marlins work to extend a key slugger?

The Miami Marlins are working hard on making the playoffs. Kim Ng is not just looking at this season however, she's also looking at the next. One big reason for playoff contention this season, is of course designated hitter Jorge Soler. We actually wrote quite a bit about him this season. The latest reports on the free agent to be are a bit confusing to say the least.

Are the Miami Marlins trying to extend Jorge Soler long-term?

Jorge Soler has been both inconsistent and injury-prone throughout his career. He spent 2014-2016 with the Chicago Cubs, batting .258/.328/.434 with 27 home runs and 98 RBI, in 211 games and 682 AB. Soler was traded to the Kansas City Royals, and things began poorly for him there. He only played in a combined 96 games in 2017-2018. He batted a poor .228/.322/.403 for that stretch.

In 2019, Jorge Soler exploded with a .265/.354/.569 batting line, with 48 home runs and 117 RBI in 162 games and 589 AB. This was the season that was long hoped for from him. After a poor showing in the shortened 2020 season (.228/.326/.443), and the first half of 2021 (.223/.316/.432), things improved for him upon a trade to the Atlanta Braves. He batted .269/.358/.524 for Atlanta in the second half of 2021 and won the Woeld Series MVP award.

The Miami Marlins signed Soler prior to the 2022 season and he has had mixed results since. He batted just .207/.295/.400 in an injury-plagued 2022 season. A season in which he was only able to play in 72 games. Things have been much better for him this season, as he's been batting .241/.328/.516 with 35 home runs and 71 RBI.

Jorge Soler is a free agent after the season, and there's a $13 million player option on him for 2024. The option's salary depends on plate appearances, but is fully expected to be triggered. He is also expected to decline it, in search of a better multi-year deal in a weak free agent market for hitters. Reportedly, he wants to stay but his agent is denying the reports that he's working on an extension with the team.

I would like Jorge Soler to be extended, but think that the Miami Marlins need more consistent and healthy power hitters on the team. I'm very worried about whether he can stay healthy going forward.