Miami Marlins’ Jorge Soler makes decision on player option for 2024 season
Outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler has declined his player option with the Miami Marlins for the 2024 season and will become a free agent, the Marlins announced Thursday.
Soler, who last season was an All-Star for the first time in his career and hit a team-best 36 home runs en route to being a Silver Slugger finalist, would have made $13 million next year — what would have been his third with the Marlins after signing with the club ahead of the 2022 season.
The move was all but expected. Soler played for $15 million this season and after regaining his form in 2023 following an injury-riddled 2022 has a chance to make more money on the open market.
In two seasons with the Marlins, Soler had a .235 average/.325 on-base/.473 slugging slash line with 49 home runs, 109 RBI and 109 runs scored in 209 games. His 36 home runs in 2023 were the sixth-most in a season in Marlins history, behind Giancarlo Stanton’s 59 in 2017, Gary Sheffield’s 42 in 1996, Marcell Ozuna’s 37 in 2017, Stanton’s 37 in 2014 and Stanton’s 37 in 2012.
Players and teams have until 5 p.m. Monday to settle any contract options.
Beyond Soler, first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell has a $16.5 million player option. Three players have team options: Right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes ($8 million or $2.25 million buyout), right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto ($10.5 million or $2.5 million buyout) and utility player Jon Berti ($3.625 million or $25,000 buyout).
