At least seven teams have interest in 19-year-old Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, according to the most recent rumblings from around MLB. The Yankees and Phillies are said to have serious interest, and the Blue Jays, Orioles, Red Sox, Cubs and White Sox also appear to be in the mix. Soler isn't a fully fledged free agent yet, but that hasn't slowed the rumor mill down. The latest:
- GM Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed the Phillies' interest to Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It may come down to where he wants to play and, of course, the money," Amaro said.The Phillies have stayed in close contact with Soler, taking him to dinner several times, according to Brookover.
- The Indians have worked Soler out at their Dominican academy several times, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets.
- Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN The Magazine tweets that he would be very surprised if the Yankees sign Soler.
Out of curiousity, does anyone know how Jorge Soler compares to Bubba Starling?
I don’t think the Yankees will sign Soler if it has to be a major league contract.
why wouldnt they? they signed a raw college pitcher who needed TJ to a major league deal
Because I believe major league deals count against the luxury tax and the Yankees are trying to get under 189MM by ’14.
the Red Sox better sign him even if we get that top prospect outfielder
from the cubs for Theo.
Brett Jackson? You think you are getting Brett Jackson?
It could happen. I bet that the Bosox are going to ask for him. If theo just went to the cubs as a GM it would not happen. But considering that he got a promotion and has even more power, they could easily make an argument.
Actually, the fact that Theo was promoted hurts the Red Sox’s chances of getting a better return.
Not when Brett Jackson will be gracing the OF of Wrigley probably come mid summer.
“It could happen.” Stop reading there.
“jwsox” Stop reading there. Ultimate homer.
Most organizations allow a guy to leave for nothing if he is getting a promotion.
This made me laugh. You honestly think the Red Sox will get something of value for Theo? You will get a mid-level prospect at best. If you guys think your getting Brett Jackson or Matt Szczur for Theo your sadly mistaken.
a mid-level prospect would be something of value
You forget its the Cubs farm system. We gave up everything and the kitchen sink when we traded for Matt Garza. We have very few mid-level prospects with upside. The ones we do have will not be given up as compensation for Theo.
“mid-level prospect” is not a team-dependent category, but i understand what you’re saying now
I think the closest the Sox might get to a “name” prospect for Epstein would be someone like Vitters–that is: someone who is ostensibly a good prospect but isn’t at all the type of player Epstein and his people value. And I don’t even think the odds are good on Vitters to the Sox, either.
We will not get anything close to that. The very highest value we will get would be a potentially failed prospect like Vitters, but even that is like 10% in my mind. We are going to get a future bullpen arm or organizational depth
The Red Sox will get little of value. I am neither a Red Sox or Cubs fan, but history says it’ll be a B-level prospect, at best. Epstein left the Red Sox to take a higher level position with the Cubs, which won’t help the Sox’s case since MLB has a tradition of allowing front-office people to leave for better jobs and no compensation. The fact that the Sox let him leave before compensation was agreed to will also hurt their case. Last, there are similar cases in the past, and in pretty much all instances, the player compensation was minor.
I dont understand, why is he not a full fledged free agent?
He has to establish residency (as Yoda said), be permitted to work in the USA by the government, and then be announced as a free agent by MLB before anyone can negotiate with him
The Cubs better land this stud. It would really make for a nice, albeit quiet, off season. Come on Theo and Jed!!! Blow him away!
Come on Dan. make it happen. I’m thinking he signs for 4/$20MM
Thanks all to who answered my question below about comparing Starling and Soler.
Jeff my problem with signing Soler is the Orioles should have signed Starling instead of Bundy as far as I am concerned. Plus, Soler is going to be very expensive and unproven. Lastly, the Orioles wouldn’t have to get into a bidding war with the rest of the league over an unproven player!
PS I am thinking Duquette should resign, the guy just doesn’t have it. This may not be a popular idea, but he really has me annoyed!
Lefty. Bundy is a once in a lifetime talent. A scout who saw him said “if he was 6’3″, he would start on opening day”.
Starling looks great, but Bundy is filthy and should be quicker to the majors. He legitimately could get to AA this year
Can you imagine a future outfield of Solar, Brett Jackson, and Matt Szczur? That would be one hell of an outfield.
I could imagine it if it was Soler, Jackson and Szczur.
I cannot… oh, wait… got it. It’s a good outfield.
The over-valuation of prospects in starting to get a little out of control. Chances are that one of those three turns out to even be an above average major leaguer.
Let’s see Szczur actually play baseball well at a level where he’s not on the old side before we anoint him anything. He’s a great athlete and apparently a terrific person. That doesn’t mean he can play baseball.
It may not be Duquette who is the problem. Can we say ‘meddling ownership’?
Joe Z…..I think you left out Roy Hobbs and Pete Grey…they are as likely to appear in a World Series as Little Brown Bears than the three you mentioned.
Can’t wait for the 1st headline about his 1st HR or preliminary hype to read, “Soler Power!”
I heard reports of an illegal deal with the Cubs already in place.
I heard reports of an illegal deal with the Cubs already in place.
I want the Phils to think outside the box and sign this guy. Just because they haven’t signed a guy like this in the past, doesn’t mean that they won’t sign him. Sign him up. the outfield in philly is not getting any younger.
It’s going to be younger than it was last opening day.
Actually it is getting younger. Brown Mayberry and Pence could be ur OF in 2013.
Let’s not go crazy. You need a centerfielder somewhere in there, even if Philly does have a forgiving outfield. Plus, I think Mayberry’s best use on a good team is as a very good bench player. If Howard comes back hitting lefties the way he did last season, Mayberry could be a great fit to take some at bats from Howard, even if Philly fans don’t want to hear that.
JMJ has played CF very well in his minor league career.
That is not a true statement.
Come on Billy, pull another Billy!!
Cubs shooting for $26.5m for Soler. Wonder who would beat that
How do you know this?
It’s false. If any discussion of money has taken place then Theo gets to go to federal prison. Teams right now can only show interest, but can not discuss money. It’s a U.S. government Treasury department law, and they kind of take these things seriously.
the treasury department is not at all concerned with theo epstein talking to a baseball agent
You’re correct, they aren’t, because talking to a baseball agent is fine; talking money however is a violation of U.S. laws. Theo is a smart man. He hasn’t talked money with Soler or his agent. That’s why these stories are nonsense
This is all similar to Cespedes when supposedly teams, led by the Marlins, had made offers and the Marlins had him locked. Soon as DR residency was established and the US Treasury department lifted it’s blocking on Cespedes, he came to the U.S. and signed a deal with not the Marlins, but the A’s.
The same will happen here. The Cubs may sign him after he is free to negotiate with all teams legally, but right now this all B.S.
The reports I read stated only that Cubs management were willing to spend as much as $27M to sign Soler. They have only discussed money internally.
It looks like the Yanks and Phils at this point!
Come on Kenny! We need him. The farm system is terrible
Reinsdorf doesn’t believe in paying for amateur talent, which is why the farm system is terrible. He was one of the key driving forces behind the new, anti-player CBA, so no way he’s going to sign Soler.
No, he doesn’t believe in going over slot in the draft. He’s shelled out for expensive Cuban talent before. Twice in recent years, in fact.
Exceptions prove nothing. There is a reason the White Sox have just about the worst farm system in the game. Reinsdorf is not going up into the $25 million range. His actions related to the amateur draft and international signings will cripple the White Sox for years to come. Soler is not coming to the White Sox.
“His actions related to the amateur draft… will cripple the White Sox for years to come” is a true statement. “Reinsdorf doesn’t believe in paying for amateur talent” in a discussion of a Cuban free agent is not. Before Cespedes, weren’t Viciedo and Ramirez the last two biggest Cuban free agents?
Can I just say how awesome it is that both Obi Wan Jacoby and Master Yoda post on MLBtraderumors. I knew they were baseball fans.
Anyway, I don’t know enough about Soler to really press the Phillies to get him. I’d rather they save that money and use it on keeping Victorino. Of course, if the comparisons to Mike Stanton are valid, then I may change my mind on that.
Money isnt the issue (well kinda). The Luxury tax is preventing them from signing both Hamels and Shane. Signing Soler would not change this.
Didn’t mean it in regards to the luxury tax. But, their payroll has to end somewhere…and spending $25+ million on an unproven player could possibly prevent them from going after a more established player to say, play third base next year.
It’s a no brainer, the Phils sign Hamels over Victorino.
Right, but it might not be an either/or decision. If Hamels tests the market, and someone offers him a crazy over the top contract, the Phillies might pass on Hamels for non-Victorino related reasons. Of course, usually when the Phillies let a B+ outfielder walk in free agency, they look smarter than the teams signing them.
Sign Soler – extend Hamels because keeping the big 3 of Halliday ~ Hamels ~ Lee is domination, and pitching wins Championships.. Thanks to Victorino, we love you and are a fan favorite – but we just need to let you go flyin (hawain) and be free (agent) – btw, i loved the comment about “Soler Power” – if is is anything like Stanton as some scouts said.. go get em Phillies.. and to end on this, that they actually have taken him out to dinner “several” times… sounds to me that Solar may like what he see, hears and eats! GO PHILLIES!!!