We're closing in on trade season, and the Atlanta Braves are contenders. Could they trade for a former fried in Miami Marlins slugger Jorge Soler?
For Jorge Soler to become a Braves trade target, the price would have to drop rather significantly. Trading with any division rival is risky, especially when that rival has a knack for developing young talent.
Say what you will about the Marlins, but assuming they keep this core around, they are a team on the rise. Nonetheless, this will probably not be the year they make a deep postseason run. So, why no trade off a veteran player for reinforcements who can aid that competitive window?
Soler has a player option this offseason, and considering the way he is currently hitting, he will opt out of his current deal that would pay him just $9 million next season. I wrote about a potential Braves-Soler fit just a few days ago:
"Soler is having another explosive season from the plate, with 15 home runs and a .261/.337/.560 slash line. Soler has a player option after this season, and assuming he keeps hitting this well, he'd be a fool not to opt out and demand more than the $9 million the Marlins are on the hook for.
Deep down, Miami knows they are not destined to make a postseason run just yet. Soler can net them some decent prospect capital, even from a team like Atlanta given their familiarity. This deal, if proposed, could actually happen."
What would a Braves-Marlins trade for Jorge Soler look like?
The Marlins lack much talent at shortstop, so Shewmake could arguably step in right away, either as a stopgap or as a long-term fit. At 25 years old, Shewmake is a high-contact player who excels on defense. He's reliable, and likely a better hitter than Joey Wendle, though that's not saying much right now.
Dodd could fill in towards the back end of the Marlins rotation. In his last two starts, he went five and six innings, respectively. Both were good outings, but he was recently sent down in the roster move which brought up Mike Soroka.
Shoemaker is only 20, and has potential as a left-handed bullpen piece or a starter, depending on how he develops in Double-A and Triple-A.