The designated hitter (DH) rule has finally extended its reach into the National League. This gives teams like the Atlanta Braves more flexibility or more dilemmas, depending on how you look at it. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer points out that no team, whether in the National or American League, needs two designated hitters hogging roster spots. And that brings us to Jorge Soler, a potential casualty of this roster logjam.
According to Rymer, Soler is the most likely Braves player to be traded this offseason. The reason? Atlanta’s recent move to exercise Marcell Ozuna’s $16 million option for the 2025 season. On paper, it’s a smart decision for the Braves, but it also brings them face-to-face with an awkward situation.
That situation being having both Ozuna and Soler, two high-priced sluggers, vying for the same DH role. And let’s be honest: while Soler can technically play the outfield, his defensive numbers beg to differ. This is a guy whose bat is what sells the tickets, not his glove.
Soler’s season was a rollercoaster ride, no doubt. After coming over from the San Francisco Giants in July, he struggled to find his rhythm but eventually found his groove, finishing the year with a .849 OPS and hammering 36 homers. Impressive numbers, sure, but they also make him prime trade bait.
A powerful bat like Soler’s doesn’t come around every day, and the Braves could look to offload him while his value remains high. Rymer even suggests potential landing spots, including the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox—teams that could use some added pop in their lineups.
When Soler joined the Braves at the trade deadline, he posted solid stats: a .243 average, a .493 slugging percentage, and 24 RBIs in just 49 games. Not bad, but the looming issue is where he fits going forward. In an ideal world, the Braves would slot him in as the everyday DH for 2025. But with Ozuna’s option picked up, that scenario gets murky. And as if that weren’t enough, Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected back next season, making any outfield spot for Soler nearly impossible.
Could the Braves shift him to left field? It’s possible—they tried it three times in 2024. But a move like that would likely hinge on whether they bring back other outfielders like Ramón Laureano or decide to take another shot with Jarred Kelenic, who had an explosive first half before cooling off dramatically after the All-Star break.
So where does that leave Soler? At this point, trading him seems the obvious play. Yet, there’s another twist in this story—Acuña’s recovery. The 2023 NL MVP winner is still working his way back from a torn ACL, and his availability for Opening Day isn’t guaranteed. That uncertainty could mean holding onto Soler as a temporary fill-in and insurance policy makes sense, at least for the short term.
As Rymer sums it up, Soler’s spot on the roster might only exist because of Acuña’s injury. But if Acuña shows up at full strength for spring training, it’s hard to see Soler sticking around. Atlanta’s front office faces a delicate balancing act, and it will be interesting to see how this all plays out as we head into the offseason.
