5 moves the Blue Jays must make immediately after missing out on Shohei Ohtani

Sign Jorge Soler

Had the Jays signed Ohtani, he would have been a premium upgrade for the ballclub at the designated hitter position over the departed Brandon Belt. However, with the two-way superstar now out of the question, the Jays must turn to second-tiered options to fill their DH role with Jorge Soler being among the top of that list. Soler bounced back with a huge season in 2023 with the Miami Marlins after enduring a mediocre 2022 that saw his season end prematurely with back spasms.

For the 2023 season, he amassed a .250 batting average with an .853 OPS, 128 OPS+, 77 runs scored, 24 doubles, 36 home runs and 75 RBI in 137 games played. More importantly, he produced those big numbers for the Marlins while batting in the top part of their lineup, leading them to their first playoff berth in three years. 

We had actually previously suggested that the Jays should have traded for Soler at this year’s trade deadline, as well as targetting him as an ideal free agent this offseason to pursue to inject some power and production into their lineup. Well, now is the best time to make that potential dream a reality. Especially with the Belt situation still uncertain with a quiet offseason to date from his camp, the Jays can’t afford to take the wait-and-see approach with him. As a result, they need to act now to get the potent bat they desperately need before it is too late.

No matter what ends up happening, the Jays will need to do something quickly and wisely at the same time to at least give everyone a glimmer of hope heading into 2024.