Soler on the Phillies' radar
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Soler on the Phillies' radar
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Add Jorge Soler to the list of free-agent outfielders drawing the Phillies' interest.
If you're not familiar with Soler, don't feel bad. There's no chance the Cuban-defector will be roaming the outfield in Citizens Bank Park next season.
There is a chance, however, that he could end up being in a Phillies uniform some day.
While most of the attention this offseason has gone to Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes, a 26-year-old outfielder whose chiseled body was on display during a freakishly impressive workout that briefly circulated on YouTube, Soler has also quietly drawn interest from quite a few big-league teams, including the Phillies.
Phillies scouting director Marti Wolever was extremely impressed by Soler during a recent workout at the team's Dominican Republic training facility. Cespedes, considered to be a major-league ready player, also took part in that workout.
Soler, 19, is not considered major-league ready and the price tag will not be nearly as high for him as it is for Cespedes. It still figures to be substantial, however, and the Phillies have almost never been a team that gets in bidding wars for international players.
Of course, the Phillies never used to have the highest payroll in the National League either, so the landscape has obviously changed in a lot of ways in recent years.
There have been reports that the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers are also interested in Soler. Given the fact that the Phillies have traded away so many minor-league prospects in recent years and are in serious need of some position-player prospects, Soler could be worth the high-risk, high-reward gamble that accompanies a huge signing bonus for any young player.
Comments (21)
I would really like to see the Phils sign good baseball players with the talent to make them better, rather than high level athletes who they hope they can turn into baseball players. If this kid can actually play, then to me there isn't nearly as much risk as on some of their questionable draft choices like James and Hewitt.— Mark1npt- Do you have any idea how little you know? Jiwan James was a 22nd round pick who is now considered the 9th best prospect in the Phillies system by Baseball America. There was nothing even vaguely "questionable" about that draft choice. The guy was named the best 3A baseball player in Florida his senior year of high school. This was one of the scouting reports on him before the draft: "James is one of the top defensive outfielders we’ve seen at this level. He’s a 6.68 runner with long, easy strides that eat up ground. His combination of arm strength, accuracy and release is unsurpassed at this level." Guys like you, and comments like this, make me think that "high-level athlete" is code for "black guy who runs fast." — phillyl0
- Hey #10...please go easy on Dr. Markie, he is very sensitive and he says he has friends in high places... — Clee Liff
- It would be a good thing if the Phillies would sign some high level prospects to help replace the players we used in trades the last few years. This kids seemsto have a huge up swing and would be a good sign. So letsgo get him!— srcdaddy1216
- Because of the ages of their players, the Phils have a limited window of opportunity for winning another world series. Instead of getting into 8-figure bidding wars over unknown commodities, the Phils should use the money to seal the deal right now. The A's tried to trade Gio Gonzalez to the Marlins for Logan Morrison but the Marlins didn't like the deal. Obviously, the A's are willing to trade the 26 year old, 3.12 ERA, $450,000 a year starter for a left handed hitting outfielder. The Phils should trade Domonic Brown for Gonzalez who will help the Phils starting rotation for many years to come. If the Phils can't acquire Gonzalez, they should resign Roy Oswalt to a two year contract and Raul Ibanez to a one-year contract, both for much lower salaries than the two received in 2011. Finally, the Phils should spend whatever it takes to acquire Jose Reyes who would give the Phils multiple things they currently need, such as a bona fide leadoff man, base stealer, batting champ, defensive star and team energizer. Reyes is looking for a $100 million contract. The Phils can handle this by giving Reyes a 5 year contract with a 6th year option and making the contract back loaded and incentive laden, something like: $14, $15, $16, $17 and $18 million in years 1 through 5, and a $20 million 6th year option. I'd rather see the Phils spend some money and win another world series with their current team than spend a lot of money on players who may or may not be able to help the Phils in the future.— onthebucks
- I love this talk of the Phillies "window". News flash: The Phillies have a payroll of $180 million. As long as they continue to sell tickets at the rate they have been, their "window" is forever. While this core of players may age, they will bid for free agent reaplacements for them while supplementing with some of their upcoming home grown talent. They should get into 8 figure bidding wars with anyone they think is worth one, regardless of their age.— tburt17
Comment removed.- "They should get into 8 figure bidding wars with anyone they think is worth one, regardless of their age."
And with this sort of fiscal responsibility, the organization would be broke, and desperate to fill seats..
— Phiggles - Sold on Soler. Sign him...play him at Lakewood to start.— Romus
- Out of all the prospects the Phillies have traded, they all pretty much were worthless and wouldn't make any impact on the Phillies anyway with the exception of Travis D'arnaud. Other than that, Carlos Carrasco is the only prospect who is playing in the majors. This does not include last year's deal for Pence. Please stop with the "we traded so much talent" mantra. In actuality, they were not good anyway.— tremo12
- Comment removed.
- Why would the A's take DBrown for Gio? Onthebuck, you need to understand that you cant just tell people to do what you want. Oswalt probably retires before taking too big of a pay cut. Ibanez will [lay whererever he gets a promise of serious playing time which the Phillies can't do so he most likely signs elsewhere. Gio for Dom is not fair value so the A's ain't biting. Reyes is a weaker hitting version of Rollins in his prime. He isn't worth a penny more than 12-13 million a season.— UncleStosh
- @tremo...you have no clue what you're talking about...@onthebucks..Stosh is right, the A's would want alot more than Dom Brown at this point in time...As far as that Morrisson or Stanton asking price, the A's were foolish because although Gio is from Miami, he's gonna want big bucks and unless he's signed already, that price (the A's wanted Morrison or Stanton plus prospects!) was way too high...You and I both want Morrisson, and I'm still convinced his future eventually will not be in South Florida....but to get him now, it would take Brown plus a Worley...or KK plus good pitching prospects..i.e. Aumont,DeFratus,May types...My gut says Brown gets to return under the radar (if there's such a thing in Philly) for a shot in the spring.— bearsfriend
- Stosh, Here are a few things to ponder: 1) Like you, I'm just voicing my opinion on this board. If I held a position in the Phils organization and was able to tell people what to do with the team, I doubt I'd be posting here. 2) Oswalt was set to make $16 million this year, which he really doesn't need. What he wants is to play 2 more years. So, the Phils should give him his $16 million and let him pitch 2 more years. 3) As an occasional platoon and frequent sub, Ibanez will get more playing time than most guys his age need or want. By the way, the Phils seem to agree. They just offered him arbitration. 4) I never said that Gio for Dom was fair value. I said the A's are willing to trade Gio and they're looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder. Dom plus another player or 2 might do it for the A's. 5) Please don't ever tell anyone else that Reyes is a weaker version of Rollins in his prime. Over 9 seasons, Reyes is a .292 lifetime hitter. His best year was in 2011 when he hit .337. He hit .300 or better 3 times in his career. Rollins is a .272 lifetime hitter. His best year was his 2000 rookie year when he hit .321, the only time he ever hit .300 or better. I agree that Reyes is not worth more than $12 - 13 million a year, but the Phils need someone with his skills set and they're unlikely to get him at that price. In today's market, that kind of money gets you Michael Cuddyer.— onthebucks
- Bear, As I told Stosh, the A's might want more for Gonzalez than just Brown, and he'd be worth more. As far as his affordability, he made $405,000 in 2010 and $425,000 in 2011. he's arbitration eligible this year and not a free agent until 2016. I'd grab him now. The Phils still might be able to acquire Morrison, but I sure wouldn't be thinking about trading Worley for him. Worley is going to be a good one for many years, and so is Gonzalez. With the two of them in the starting rotation, the Phils will be tough for a long time.
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The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
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