Should the Kansas City Royals extend Jorge Soler?

By Cody Rickman | Sep 4, 2019

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 03: Jorge Soler #12 of the Kansas City Royals waves to the crowd after hitting his 39th home run of the year, a single-season club record, during the 3rd inning of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium on September 03, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Jorge Soler is expected to opt out of his current contract, which will put him into a larger pay day via arbitration. If the Kansas City Royals believe in his 2019 breakout, should they extend Soler a contract to opt out of his final two arbitration years and possibly his first year of free agency?

The 27-year-old DH and Right Fielder has put together his finest MLB season in 2019. Breaking the Kansas City Royals’ Franchise Home Run record of 38 on Tuesday night, Jorge Soler‘s remaining contract is for $4.6 million, which he can opt out of for arbitration in 2020 and 2021. Soler is a free agent beginning in 2022 (age 30 season).

Career: .249/.332/.460, 85 2B, 2 3B, 76 HR, 8/11 SBs
2019 MLB: .251/.343/.533, 27 2B, 38 HR, 63 BB (2 IBB), 151 K, 1/2 SB (499 ABs)

Soler is finally having the breakout season industry experts expected when he signed with the Cubs in 2014. Soler has always had power grades to put together a season like he’s having in 2019. He is on pace to shatter the Royals single season home run record.

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Soler has always had the talent to be a prodigious power hitter, but has had issues remaining healthy with his violent swing. Oblique injuries continued to hamper his development early in his career.

Now in his prime years he looks ready to take off as one of the premier sluggers in the MLB. At times he flashes average defensive ability in right field with a powerful arm. However, most times he is a liability in the field and this hurts his value going forward as he will likely be relegated to designated hitter duties.

Expectations: Soler is hitting close to his career numbers in terms of batting average and OBP. His breakout is related to his home run numbers, slugging percentage, and his health.

If Soler is healthy, he is a safe bet to hit for at least 28+ home runs per season. He is an average base runner and a slightly below average fielder with a plus arm. Soler will opt out of his contract this offseason and seek salary arbitration netting him a pay day in excess of $8 million for the 2020 season.

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If the Kansas City Royals believe in his breakout, they should attempt to sign Soler out of his two arbitration years and his first year of free agency (age 30 season). The Royals could also take advantage of Soler’s 2019 breakout and move to trade the power hitter this offseason.

The right trade partner could bring back three quality prospects if the Royals play their cards right.

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