Jorge Soler opts out of contract

Following a season where Jorge Soler hit 36 home runs, made the National League All-Star team and was a finalist for the NL Silver Slugger award, he has decided to decline his 2024 player option and enter the free agent market. Soler was set to earn $13 million next season had he stuck with his original contract.

In March 2022, the Marlins signed Soler a three-year deal worth $36M with opt outs in between each year of the deal. Soler slashed .207/.295/.400/.695 with 13 home runs, 34 RBIs and a 95 wRC+ during his first season in Miami. He missed most of the season with a back injury and didn't opt out.

Things went much better for Soler this past season. Not only did he play 137 games, but he was one of the Marlins' best hitters, slashing .250/.341/.512/.853 with 36 home runs, 75 RBIs and a 126 wRC+. It was just a matter of when he would officially opt out in search of one final long-term contract.

Soler now enters a free agent market that is weak when it comes to sluggers, but his injury history and lack of playing time in the outfield could hold down his earnings. In 2023, Soler was in right field for only 32 games and didn't look good out there. He spent the rest of his games as the designated hitter. Turning 32 in February, he's still managing his back issue. He also spent time on the IL this season with an oblique strain.

The Marlins have until Monday to decide whether or not to extend a qualifying offer to Soler, which is worth $20.325M. They are awarded a 2024 draft pick as compensation if Soler ends up declining the offer and signing with another team.

All in all, it does seem unlikely that the Cuban slugger will return to Miami in free agency. That would mean he finishes his time with the Marlins slashing .235/.325/.473/.798 with 46 home runs, 109 RBIs and had a 116 OPS+.

The Marlins 40-man roster temporarily sits at 33 players as we wait for players to be activated from the 60-day IL and the option decisions for Josh Bell (player option), Johnny Cueto (club option) and Matt Barnes (club option).

Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish on First