Blue Jays: Look for Yangervis Solarte to be dealt in the offseason

Throughout the first few months of the 2018 season, Yangervis Solarte was one of the few bright spots night in and night out, however, Solarte now finds himself on the outside looking in and a good candidate to be moved this offseason.

The Blue Jays acquired Yangervis Solarte this past offseason from the San Diego Padres in exchange for minor leaguers Jared Carkuff and Edward Olivares. The 30-year old can play multiple positions and is relatively affordable next season if the Jays pick up his $5.5 million dollar team option.

However, Solarte and his carefree demeanor grew tiresome as he routinely fails to hustle out of the box and has hit into 21 double plays this season as a result. Solarte is a pair of twin killings away from the league lead.

Coupling the above issue is the fact the Jays currently have a plethora of younger, cheaper options who can also play the infield. The likes of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Aledmys Diaz, Devon Travis, Brandon Drury, Richard Urena and the impending promotions of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette make it difficult to imagine a scenario where Solarte fits into the infield puzzle.

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Solarte is hitting .229/.280/.385 with 17 home runs and 70 strikeouts in 119 games. The majority of his playing time has come at third base, a position that should be occupied by Drury and Vladdy in 2019. The emergence of Gurriel could move Diaz into a super utility role which would also make Solarte expendable.

The native of Venezuela has also played shoddy defence at times including a recently botched routine fly ball that cost the Jays a game versus the Red Sox. Solarte appears to be a good teammate albeit with a Jose Reyes aura about him, however, the constant lack of hustle is a poor example to set with so many young players on the roster.

If the Jays are unable to find a trade partner for Solarte they may also decline his team option making him a free agent. It is tough to foresee the Jays paying Solarte $5.5 million in a rebuilding season after his mediocre 2018 campaign.