Jorge Soler to exercise $15 million contract option. What it means for Marlins in 2023

Outfielder Jorge Soler will exercise the $15 million player option in his contract and remain with the Miami Marlins for the 2023 season, a source confirmed to the Miami Herald on Tuesday.

The decision was all but inevitable, considering Soler’s 2022 season and the money he was locked in to receive if he stayed in Miami. At $15 million, Soler is currently the highest-paid player on Miami’s payroll for the 2023 season, followed by outfielder Avisail Garcia ($12 million), right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara ($6 million), shortstop Miguel Rojas ($4.5 million) and left-handed reliever Richard Bleier ($3.5 million).

Soler, who signed with the Marlins last offseason with the intentions of being a power-hitting middle-of-the-order bat, played in just 72 games while dealing with an assortment of injuries — first bilateral pelvis inflammation that sidelined him for 15 games and then lower back spasms that kept him out for the Marlins’ final 69 games. He hit .207 with a .295 on-base percentage and .400 slugging mark during the season.

His 13 home runs, however, ranked tied for third on the team despite playing less than half the season, behind only 15 from Jesus Aguilar (who was designated for assignment at the end of August) and 14 from Jazz Chisholm Jr. (who only played 60 games).

“It was not the ideal season for any of us,” Soler said in September. “Not for me, not for the whole team. We didn’t [live up to] the expectation that everybody was actually waiting for. We just have to keep working hard and work for that next season.”

In a perfect scenario, Soler would most likely be the Marlins’ regular designated hitter in 2023. They have a slew of internal outfielder options in Garcia, JJ Bleday, Jesus Sanchez and Bryan De La Cruz to play the field, and the team should still be pursuing a natural center fielder this offseason.

More roster moves

▪ The Marlins declined their end of infielder Joey Wendle’s mutual option. He remains with the organization and is arbitration eligible. Wendle’s mutual option was for $6.6 million or a $75,000 buyout. MLB Trade Rumors projects Wendle will make make about $5.4 million in arbitration this offseason.

▪ Right-handed pitchers Jordan Holloway (arthroscopic surgery on right elbow) and Cody Poteet (Tommy John surgery) were reinstated from the 60-day injured list, cleared waivers and have been outrighted to Triple A Jacksonville.

▪ Right-handed pitcher Bryan Hoeing cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple A Jacksonville.

▪ The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed utility player Luke Williams off waivers.

▪ The Arizona Diamondbacks claimed right-handed relief pitcher Cole Sulser off waivers.