Yankees eyeing ex-WS MVP, All-Star with a standout 2023 season

Last season, the New York Yankees struggled with one of the least effective offenses in baseball. Despite managing to secure 82 victories, the Yankees’ subpar offense potentially cost them a playoff berth. Injuries played a significant role in their offensive woes, but inconsistency in performance also contributed.

In an effort to enhance this aspect of their game, the Yankees have actively worked on improvements during the offseason. Notably, they’ve bolstered their outfield by acquiring standout sluggers such as Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Trent Grisham.

While the Yankees have made initial additions, it appears their efforts to strengthen the team are ongoing. There are indications that New York has expressed interest in securing the services of All-Star slugger Jorge Soler, as reported by Francys Romero of MLB.com.

The Seattle Mariners are the most active team for Cuban OF/DH Jorge Soler, per source.

Yankees and Marlins have also approached and have shown interest.

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 18, 2023

Jorge Soler indicated that according to a source, the Seattle Mariners have emerged as the most engaged team regarding his situation. He mentioned that the Yankees and the Miami Marlins have also made approaches and displayed interest in potentially acquiring him.

How can Jorge Soler help the Yankees

In the 2023 season with the Marlins, Jorge Soler delivered one of his most impressive performances. The 31-year-old slugger launched 36 home runs, tallied 75 RBIs, and posted a slash line of .250/.341/.512, earning him his inaugural All-Star selection. Soler’s potential is evident, showcased by his standout season in 2019 when, as a member of the Kansas City Royals, he led the American League in home runs with 48 and drove in 117 runs.

While the prospect of acquiring a hitter like Jorge Soler is enticing, it might not align with the Yankees’ current roster unless accompanied by additional moves. Giancarlo Stanton currently occupies the designated hitter spot, and the Yankees have already made three outfield additions.

The primary concern for New York in the previous year stemmed from a shortage of depth, making a case for the potential benefits of adding another outfielder. While the likelihood of such a move remains uncertain at this juncture, only time will reveal whether it becomes a reality.

Jorge Soler, acclaimed as the 2021 World Series MVP with the Braves, showcased formidable power by smashing 38 home runs with a 128 OPS+ and a manageable 141 strikeouts in 580 plate appearances last season. Following a notable dip in performance in 2022, where his OPS fell below .700, Soler rebounded in his contract year with the Marlins, upholding his pattern of every other year dominance. In this impressive campaign, the 31-year-old posted a batting line of .250/.341/.512, accompanied by 36 home runs and 75 RBIs in 137 games.

All-Star (2023) 2× World Series champion (2016, 2021) World Series MVP (2021) AL home run leader (2019)

Jorge Soler’s penchant for thunderous power makes him an enticing prospect for teams on the cusp of contention, with the Mariners emerging as a seemingly fitting destination after shedding payroll and letting Teoscar Hernández go. However, if the Yankees did indeed express interest, understanding the timing of their inquiry could provide insights into whether it was routine due diligence or part of a more intricate plan.

In the second echelon of free-agent options, Jorge Soler emerges as an appealing choice for teams seeking a power-hitting presence in their lineup. Nevertheless, Soler does have his own set of constraints as a player. At this stage of his career, he is limited to the designated hitter (DH) role, yet it’s noteworthy that he is five years younger than Martinez and earned his inaugural All-Star selection in 2023.

The injury lawsuit involving Jorge Soler

However, it’s important to acknowledge that a lawsuit filed in October 2023 details a concerning incident involving Jorge Soler during the 2021 World Series when, as an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, he threw a ball into the stands. The plaintiff in the case suffered what is described as “significant and excruciating injuries.” The incident transpired just before the start of the fifth inning on October 29, 2021, as outlined in the civil action filed in Georgia’s Cobb County Superior Court.

The game that Norris attended, Game 3 of the World Series, concluded with the Braves defeating the Houston Astros 2-0. Atlanta went on to secure the world title in a six-game series.

In the subsequent season, Jorge Soler departed Atlanta, opting to sign with the Miami Marlins in a notable free-agent deal orchestrated by then-Miami general manager Kim Ng.

Jorge Soler played a pivotal role in the Marlins’ success this year, contributing significantly to their first winning season, excluding the pandemic-truncated 2020 campaign, since 2009. In the course of this past season, he showcased his power-hitting prowess by launching a team-leading 36 home runs, a performance that ranked tied for 12th best across all of baseball.

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