Tigers could be landing spot for Jorge Soler in trade with Braves

The Braves have a conundrum on their hands when it comes to the designated hitter position. The expectation is Marcell Ozuna‘s option for 2025 will be picked up. He’s been the best offensive player for the Braves over the last two seasons and is beloved in the clubhouse. It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where he is moved.

But what does that mean for Jorge Soler?

The Braves acquired the right-handed slugger in hopes of finding the same magic he brought the club in 2021, when he went on to win World Series MVP. The move actually worked out pretty well. The Braves desperately needed an offensive boost in the middle of their lineup, and that’s exactly what Jorge Soler provided, hitting nine homers and recording an .849 OPS in 49 games after the trade.

But while Soler’s bat was reliable, he also showed he had no business playing in the outfield. His -7 Outs Above Average in just 46 games is unimaginably horrendous. Had he played the entire season in right field, Soler would have been far and away the worst defensive player in all of baseball.

It’s not an experiment that needs to be tested any further. Jorge Soler is a DH. The Braves already have their DH in Marcell Ozuna, and that doesn’t even take into account the possibility of Ronald Acuña Jr. needing to potentially DH coming off a second ACL surgery.

Given Jorge Soler is still owed $32 million over the next two seasons, the Braves will likely explore moving him this offseason, and the Detroit Tigers are a team to keep an eye on.

“Among the more prominent takeaways are that the Tigers will pursue a right-handed bat to augment a lineup that Harris believes became too left-handed, as well as additional support on the pitching side of things — both in the rotation and in the bullpen,” writes Steven Adams for MLB Trade Rumors. 

The market for players that are strictly designated hitters isn’t typically piping hot, especially ones that are owed $32 million. However, Soler has really found some consistency with his swing over the last several years. Dating back to 2019, he’s blasted 153 homers over just 703 games and recorded an .812 OPS.

For any club looking for a power bat that won’t cost an arm and a leg, there aren’t many better options than Jorge Soler. Perhaps the Braves have to eat a bit of the money, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to find a suitor this offseason, and the Tigers make a lot of sense.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire