Boston Red Sox to Sign Potent Veteran Slugger, Per MLB Insider.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, free agent slugger Jorge Soler, who has attracted interest from the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners this winter, is expected to sign a deal with the Boston Red Sox immediately.
This winter, there have been many rumors circulating regarding free agency slugger Jorge Soler.
The Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and perhaps a return to the Miami Marlins are potential destinations for the former American League home run champion.
But with just two weeks until spring training, Soler still doesn’t have a job, and the number of suitors seems to be declining. After acquiring Jorge Polanco, Seattle would seem to be out, and Toronto would seem to be out after signing Justin Turner.
The Boston Red Sox are another team to which Soler has been linked, and MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicts that Soler will wind up there. On Wednesday, he declared as much in a predictions column.
The only sound the Red Sox have made this winter is the cries of their ardent supporters, but a Soler deal should at least temporarily calm the agitation.
A few things to consider here:
1) A move for Soler makes sense in that the fanbase is restless. After finishing last in the division for three of the last four years, the fans are expecting action. Thus far, the team has traded away Chris Sale and traded for Tyler O’Neill, leading to an uneven offseason that doesn’t help the 2024 prospects. To Nightengale’s point, adding a proven slugger would help ease the tension.
2) The team was already previously connected to Teoscar Hernandez. If they were interested in one power-hitting, right-handed outfielder, why not another?
3) The move would be questionable from this standpoint: The Sox already are loaded with outfielders. Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida, Ceddane Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Rob Refsynder and O’Neill are already out there. Even if the team puts Rafaela in the minors and Yoshida at DH, you’re still over the outfielder limit. Something to watch for.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old also had 48 home runs during the Royals’ 2019 season. The American League was led by that. In addition, he has won two World Series and would offer playoff experience to whatever team he signs.
Last season, Soler had an on-base percentage of.341 and hit.250.
