The Braves are facing a dilemma regarding the designated hitter position. Marcell Ozuna is expected to have his 2025 option picked up, as he has been the team’s top offensive player for the past two seasons and is well-liked in the clubhouse, making it hard to envision him being traded.
So, what does this mean for Jorge Soler?
The Braves brought Soler back in hopes of recapturing the success he had in 2021 when he was named World Series MVP. The trade proved beneficial, as Soler provided a much-needed offensive boost, hitting nine homers and posting an .849 OPS in 49 games.
However, while Soler’s hitting was strong, his defensive performance in the outfield was alarming. With a -7 Outs Above Average in just 46 games, he would have been the worst defensive player in baseball had he played the entire season in right field.
This suggests that Soler should strictly be a designated hitter. With Ozuna already fulfilling that role and the potential need for Ronald Acuña Jr. to DH after his second ACL surgery, the Braves’ outfield situation is becoming increasingly complicated.
With Jorge Soler still owed $32 million over the next two seasons, the Braves are likely to consider trading him this offseason, and the Detroit Tigers are a team to watch.
According to Steven Adams from MLB Trade Rumors, the Tigers are looking for a right-handed bat to balance a lineup that has become too left-handed, as well as seeking additional pitching support for both the rotation and bullpen.
While the market for designated hitters isn’t usually very active, especially for players with a significant salary like Soler, he has shown notable consistency in his performance over the past few years. Since 2019, he has hit 153 home runs in just 703 games, posting an .812 OPS.
For any club looking for a power bat that won’t cost an arm and a leg, there aren’t many better options than Jorge Soler. Perhaps the Braves have to eat a bit of the money, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to find a suitor this offseason, and the Tigers make a lot of sense.
