10 Burning Questions (3rd in a series)

#3: Will Jorge Soler and Josh Bell be back in 2024?

Jorge Soler and Josh Bell were the Marlins’ 2 most dangerous power bats in 2023, and both have the opportunity to opt out of their current contracts this offseason. (Photo courtesy of USA Today.)

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With the Marlins’ 2023 season in the books, VIEW FROM THE BLEACHERS continues its look ahead to 2024 in this multi-part series in which we’re discussing some of the primary burning questions the organization will need to answer this offseason that could go a long way toward defining its short- and long-term future.

If you missed previous installments in the series, you can read them here…

10 Burning Questions (2nd in a series)

10 Burning Questions (First in a series)

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#3: WILL JORGE SOLER AND JOSH BELL BE BACK IN 2024?

In 6 seasons under Bruce Sherman’s ownership, the Marlins rank 30th out of 30 in MLB in total runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS and stand 29th in home runs and on-base percentage.

In 2023, they were able to win 84 games and a National League Wild Card spot even though they finished last in the NL in scoring and 4th from the bottom in homers.

And that’s despite Jorge Soler enjoying a significant bounceback from his dreadful 2022 Miami debut, slamming 36 long balls and slugging .512 in 137 games, and with deadline pick-up Josh Bell contributing 11 home runs and an .818 OPS in only 53 games, essentially one-third of a season.

It’s reasonable to ask what the 2023 Marlins might have been able to do with even a middle-of-the-pack offense.

It’s also reasonable to ask where they would have been without Soler and Bell.