Jorge Soler Is A Perfect Fit For Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians should pursue Jorge Soler in MLB free agency.

Fans are going to continue to talk about the Cleveland Guardians' lack of power until the front office addresses it. Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of home run-hitting players on the free agency market, but there is one who would be perfect on the Guardians.

That's former Miami Marlin Jorge Soler.

Cleveland's front office should be very familiar with Soler as he spent five seasons with their division rival Kansas City Royals earlier in his career. They should also realize that it's pretty clear that this is the type of player that needs to be added to the roster.

Jul 31, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler (12) watches his two-run home run in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports / © Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Soler finished the 2023 season with a slash line of .250/.341/.512 and an OPS of .853. He also slugged 36 home runs and drove in 75 RBI in his resurgent season. That would've easily been the most homers on the Guardians and third-most RBI.

The former World Series MVP ranked in the 81st percentile in average exit velocity, the 91st percentile in barrell%, and the 84th percentile in hard-hit%, per Baseball Savant. Soler's job is to hit the ball hard and far and that's exactly what he does.

FanGraphs projects Soler to make around $45 million over three years putting his AAV at about $16.0 million a season. Cleveland spending that much on a 31-year-old isn't typically in their game plan. 

The last time they spent that much on a player about the same age with a similar skillset was Josh Bell, he didn't make it past the trade deadline.

At the end of the day, the Guardians need to do something about their lack of home runs. They've now hit the fewest baseball the last two seasons which isn't something to brag about. 

Soler would definitely help with that problem.