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Which players could potentially replace Jorge Soler as a middle of the lineup hitter for the Marlins?
Marlins need a big bat, what free agent options are there?
The Miami Marlins have a big hole in the lineup to fill with Jorge Soler opting for free agency. The Marlins need his production at the plate and a middle of the lineup hitter so who could be out there that could fill that role? The Miami Marlins have been rumored to be interested in a Soler reunion, but other teams are trying to sign him here soon.
Soler's departure means the Marlins need to find a big bat
Soler’s production of 36 home runs, 75 RBI, and his .250 average will be missed. If he comes back and can repeat that production then the Marlins will be in good shape. While other MLB teams are trying to coax Yamamoto to join them the Marlins need to strike first and sign players to fit their needs.
If the Marlins can swing a bigger contract then more teams and names will be available to them. As it were it seems a trade is more likely considering the candidates out there. Here we will look at a few names that might be a fit, you decide if there are better trade options or better free agents. The free agent big money names are almost all spoken for, so the Marlins need to pounce now on a player if they are available and the Marlins have interest. Since Ohtani is signed, the focus is to sign Yamamoto. Once he is signed names could be coming off the free agent class quickly, as teams finish out their offseason.
Option 1 - Robbie Grossman
Robbie Grossman is 34 and has pretty average power and batting average. His lifetime average is .244 over 11 years. Grossman is not a long term solution but he could be serviceable as a 6 hole guy. The real question is can he be a serviceable replacement for the departed Jorge Soler or will he be another Avisail Garcia that is a sink hole for the payroll with no real return on investment.
Grossman has the great playoff experience of this past season with the Texas Rangers. That playoff leadership could help with the departing Soler and Gurriel being the majority of their playoff experience. They would benefit from his veteran leadership.
Robbie Grossman has had one good season where he played a full year and he performed well. In 2021 he hit .239 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI over 671 plate appearances. Grossman has not met that total again with 10 and 11 home runs and 48 and 49 RBI being his best season totals aside. If he gets more chances he will potentially be able to repeat that performance and show he is not a one hit wonder. He also plays outfield which is an easy 1 to 1 replacement for Soler.
Option 2 - Aaron Hicks
New York Yankees former outfielder Aaron Hicks could very well be the same kind of player as Grossman. Hicks also has not had a full season but did well in his one full season of 581 plate appearances. In that stand out season he hit 27 home runs and drove in 79, but that was in 2018.
If Aaron Hicks can repeat that production or close to it he will be a great fit. Hicks could benefit like many do, from getting out of New York. Players often lag in performance due to the high pressure of the Yankees system and fans. Miami is certainly not that way and Skip Schumaker is a great coach who can get players excited.
I really like the Aaron Hicks pick for the above mentioned reason, out of New York and back to production. In a small sample his home run rate jumped from 1.3% in New York to 3% in Baltimore and he only struck out 20% of the time. That can continue in Miami if they grab him and he also has the outfield replacement abilities for Jorge Soler and that is a win.
Option 3 - Daniel Vogelbach
Daniel Vogelbach is another wild card free agent that could produce many different results. He was injured for part of last season so durability is of course a question, much like Soler. He is a former All-Star which is a feather in his cap.
During that 2019 All-Star season Daniel Vogelbach hit .208 with 30 home runs and 76 RBI. On paper he looks like he could be the guy but his amount of home runs in 22 and 21 are not consistent with his ability. He is a Florida native from Fort Myers and so could fit in very well.
The past two seasons he has hit 13 home runs and 18 home runs. If he can get out of New York and return to form with the Marlins he could again be in the mid twenties in home runs. He should have a lot of opportunities with runners on base if he signs with Miami and I could see him as a platoon DH/1B option with Bell, so long as he can remain healthy, which is questionable. There certainly are more options but here are a few unsung ones that could be good fits if they can have a revival.
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