Ranking each of the players named in The Athletic's top 13 Blue Jays free agent fits

#4 OF/DH Jorge Soler

Jorge Soler bounced back in 2023 in a big way after enduring one of his worst seasons in his career the previous year. In 2022, he hit only .207 with 13 home runs in 72 games before being sidelined for the rest of the season due to a back injury. This past season, he rebounded by batting .250 with a strong .853 OPS, along with 36 home runs and 75 RBI in 137 games played, helping to lead the Miami Marlins to their first postseason berth in three years.

Despite also being quite streaky throughout his career, Soler’s power and production would give the Jays the much-needed boost to their offence for 2024. However, with a career -55 DRS over 10 seasons in the outfield, his defensive abilities will be a far cry from what Kiermaier provided the ballclub. As a result, Soler would be best suited in the designated hitter position with the Jays, with the odd start in the outfield from time to time to help give the starters some rest.

#3 1B/DH Rhys Hoskins

Rhys Hoskins had a year to forget in 2023, as he tore his ACL on a defensive play during Spring Training that took him out for the entire season. That could put him at a disadvantage heading into free agency given the uncertainty and risk that could be still involved in his recovery. However, given his proven track record of putting up strong numbers over his six-year playing career in the majors, there is no doubt that he should remain a solid offensive contributor once fully recovered when the 2024 season comes around. If he could regain his dominant form prior to his injury, he could potentially be the best value pickup in free agency this offseason.

In a recent podcast by “The Baseball Insiders”, MLB insider Robert Murray even suggested that the Jays are the team to look out for in terms of the eventual landing spot for Hoskins. If it does indeed come to fruition, he won’t be taking over first base with Guerrero around. So if he were to join the Jays, it will be similar to the situation this past season for Brandon Belt, where he will primarily be a designated hitter, with occasional starts at first base to spell Guerrero. That scenario could be ideal for Hoskins as well, to minimize the burden he would have playing in the field following a year-long layoff from his ACL surgery to preserve his health.