World Series MVP Jorge Soler is headed to the Miami Marlins, agreeing to a three-year, $36 million contract, according to multiple reports.
Expected to primarily be a designated hitter after the DH came to the National League in the recent collective bargaining agreement, Soler has opt-outs after the first and second years. Soler can also play right field.
Adding the 30-year-old Cuban is the second noteworthy bat the Marlins picked up since last season. Miami also signed former Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Avisaíl García to a four-year, $53 million deal before the lockout.
Boosting the Braves
Soler was one of the key acquisitions by the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline in 2021, coming over from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor-league reliever Kasey Kalich.
In 55 games for the Braves, Soler hit .269 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs. After going 2-for-13 in the NL playoffs against the Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers, Soler went 6-for-20 in the World Series against the Houston Astros, including three home runs and six RBIs. It was the second World Series ring for Soler, who also won one with the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
With the Royals in 2021, the right-handed slugger batted just .192 with 13 homers and 37 RBIs in 94 games. His combined 27 homers last year were the second most of his eight-year career. Soler crushed 48 homers and drove in 117 in 2019 with the Royals.
Contact Issues
Since making his big-league debut in 2012 with the Cubs, Soler has been known for his massive power. He has a career slash line of .246/.331/.465, with 121 homers and 343 RBIs in 661 games.
As with many power hitters, Soler has a major tendency to strike out. He has been fanned 696 times in his career—26.9 percent of his plate appearances. In his career year of 2019, he struck out 178 times.
Making Moves
Bringing on Soler is the first major move by the Marlins and general manager Kim Ng since the team’s divorce from Derek Jeter. The former New York Yankees star and recent Hall of Fame inductee resigned as the Marlins’ chief executive officer on Feb. 28, ending his tenure after less than five years.
Soler fits nicely in the middle of the Marlins’ lineup, with García, Jesús Aguilar and Garrett Cooper. The Marlins are looking to improve on their 67-95 finish in 2021, which left them in fourth place in the NL East.
(Photo by Icon Sportswire) Adapted by Shawn Palmer (@PalmerDesigns_ on twitter)