The Braves find themselves at a bit of a crossroads with their designated hitter situation between Ozuna and Soler. Marcell Ozuna, their powerhouse slugger, has solidified himself as one of the best offensive players in the lineup. The likelihood of the team picking up his 2025 option seems almost certain.
Ozuna’s bat has been on fire over the last couple of seasons, and his role as a clubhouse leader only strengthens his case to stay. For the Braves, moving him out of the DH role is hard even to imagine. But there’s a ripple effect when you consider what that means for their other recent acquisition, Jorge Soler.
Soler is a familiar face in Atlanta after his heroic 2021 World Series MVP run. He was brought back with high hopes that he could revive that same form in the middle of the Braves lineup. And to some extent, it worked. Soler was a much-needed power boost, smashing nine home runs in 49 games and maintaining an impressive .849 OPS. He fit right in, delivering the type of offensive production Atlanta needed. But Soler’s glove is a glaring issue. More specifically, his lack of defensive ability.
Let’s just call it what it is — Soler was an absolute liability in the outfield. His -7 Outs Above Average (OAA) in just 46 games paints an ugly picture of his defensive struggles. The metrics suggest he could’ve been the worst defender in all of baseball had he played a full season in right field.
The Braves clearly can’t afford to keep running him out there. Soler is a pure designated hitter at this stage of his career. There’s no defensive flexibility, no utility option — just a bat. And guess what? The Braves already have their DH, Marcell Ozuna.
This becomes even more complicated when you factor in Ronald Acuña Jr., who could need the occasional day at DH as he continues to manage his recovery from a second ACL surgery. The outfield is crowded, the DH spot is occupied, and there’s just no room for Soler to get regular at-bats in Atlanta.
So, what’s the solution? The most likely scenario is that the Braves explore moving Soler in the offseason. Soler still has two years and $32 million left on his contract. While that’s not the most attractive deal for a player who can’t play defense, Soler’s consistent power production could entice a team looking for a reasonably priced slugger.
Since 2019, Soler has been one of the most reliable power hitters in the game, crushing 153 homers with a .812 OPS over 703 games. For a team that needs a right-handed bat, there are worse options out there.
One team to keep an eye on? The Detroit Tigers. Rumors suggest they are in the market for a right-handed power bat to balance out their lefty-heavy lineup, and Soler fits that mold perfectly. He’d be an affordable addition for a team looking to boost its offense without breaking the bank.
While the Braves might have to eat a chunk of that $32 million contract, finding a trade partner shouldn’t be out of the question. The Tigers make a lot of sense as a landing spot, with their clear need for a bat and some payroll flexibility.
As the offseason looms, the Braves are faced with some tough decisions. It’s unlikely both Ozuna and Soler can coexist in a lineup where they’re each limited to DH duties. The Tigers — or another team needing an instant power upgrade — may offer the solution to this problem.
