Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners Reportedly Interested in Former AL Home Run Champion
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are among the teams showing interest in free agent slugger Jorge Soler.
The market for free agency slugger Jorge Soler continues to be robust, according to MLB.com Insider Mark Feinsand.
The Mariners, who are about to lose (Teoscar) Hernández from their lineup barring an unexpected reunion, are among the teams that have interest in Soler, who would offer some much-needed power to Seattle’s lineup. The 2021 World Series MVP has also received interest from the D-backs, Blue Jays and Red Sox, per sources, providing Soler a solid market.
With regards to Seattle, it makes sense that they would be interested in Soler’s skills. As Feinsand explains, they have voids in their lineup because of the impending departure of Hernandez and the trades of Eugenio Suarez and Jarred Kelenic this winter.
Now, they did just add Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger in trades, so we’ll see if that affects their desire level, but the team could still drastically use him.
As for Toronto, they have a need at designated hitter with the departure of Brandon Belt. They have Daulton Varsho, George Springer and Kevin Kiermaier in the outfield but might deploy Soler in some kind of DH/outfield rotation. If Soler was in the fold alongside Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto would continue to have one of the top lineups in the sport.
Soler hit 36 homers last year for the offensively-inept Miami Marlins. If he can perform in that lineup, he could do the same in Seattle and in Toronto.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old also hit 48 homers earlier in the 2019 season with the Royals. That lead the American League. He’s also a two-time World Series champion and would provide playoff experience to either club.
Soler hit .250 last season with a .341 on-base percentage.
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