Red Sox pivot to another free agent slugger after Teoscar Hernández to the Dodgers deal
The Dodgers remained active and signed free agent outfielder Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million deal, with $8.5 million deferred from 2030-2039 on Sunday night.
With Hernández off the board, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow needs to pivot to find another right-handed slugger for his team’s lineup.
According to one report that surfaced on X Sunday night, the Red Sox are actively pursuing free agent outfielder Jorge Soler, per MLB reporter Héctor Gomez.
“In the last few hours the Red Sox have been very aggressive in talks about OF/DH Jorge Soler. They emerge now as the frontrunner to sign him. Blue Jays, Mariners, Diamondbacks continue showing interest in the Cuban star player,” reported Gomez.
Soler slashed .250/.341/.512 with 36 home runs over 580 plate appearances for Miami last season, translating to a 126 wRC+. His strong season for the Marlins allowed him to exercise the opt-out clause in this contract. Th slugger is hoping to land a bigger deal this winter versus the $13 million he was initially owned by Miami had he opted into his deal.
The 6-foot-4 power hitter would be a nice compliment alongside Rafael Devers and Triston Casas in the Red Sox lineup. Soler offers tremendous power upside, but will also strikeout his fair share. He struck out 24.3% last season but still posted a .853 OPS at the plate.
Defensively, Soler would be a downgrade for the team’s outfield, likely resulting in a DH rotation with Masataka Yoshida. Outfielder Adam Duvall continues to be floated for a potential return back to the club if Breslow elects not to sign Soler.
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