Braves: 3 former fan favorites available at the trade deadline
By Tim Boyle
2) Former Braves fan favorite available at the trade deadline: Jorge Soler
Jorge Soler was another one of the outfielders the Braves brought in at last year’s trade deadline along with Pederson. He ended up signing with the Miami Marlins this season where things haven’t been quite as great as they were in Atlanta. However, he has hit better than he did prior to the trade from the Kansas City Royals. There is a market for him especially with the universal DH.
Through 289 trips to the plate for Miami, Soler is batting .217/.360/.421 with 13 home runs. Compared to the .269/.358/.524 with 14 home runs he hit in 242 chances with Atlanta last year, it looks like the 2019 American League Home Run Champion might be in line for another one of those weak batting average yet good power seasons he regularly produces.
Soler is in an interesting situation with the Marlins with a $15 million player option for next season and a $9 million payday coming his way in 2024—again on a player option.
He has not been the same wrecking ball for the Marlins as he was for the Braves in last year’s World Series when his 3 home runs helped earn him the MVP. Nonetheless, a team looking for power, even in a part-time role, could view Soler as a player to add. It may need to be for a team with money to burn, however. Unless he starts to perform better, he’d be wise to take the player option then run with the money.