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All In For Jorge Soler?

By Brandon Cohen
No pictures of Soler, so here's one of Swisher.
No pictures of Soler, so here's one of Swisher.

Big MLB news today, as Jorge Soler has officially been declared a free agent. Soler was a hot topic in the off-season, as many fans discussed the possibility of signing Soler instead of his fellow Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes ended up signing with the Oakland Athletics, while Soler had trouble being declared a free agent. Now that Soler is available, the Yankees should be all in.

The pressing need for the Yankees right now is outfield depth. Slade Heathcott is the big outfield name, but the 2009 first round draft pick is currently out with a shoulder injury. Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte (both fantastic names) are both on the 40-man roster, but neither are touted as future MLB stalwarts. For reference Mesa is hitting .248/.317/.434 in AA, while Almonte is hitting .278/.326/.405 after getting off the DL yesterday.

Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein has the scoop on Soler, as evidenced by a series of his tweets.

Source indicates that Jorge Soler's agent, Barry Praver, has requested that offers for his client be submitted by Thursday, June 7.

Cubs, Phillies, Red Sox, Marlins, Blue Jays. : Instead of asking abt every team, who are faves for Soler?

Mild ones, yes. RT : Are the Yankees Soler suiters?

VG athlete, RF profile, massive raw power. RT : what's the book on Soler?

Also, the salary will not count against the new IFA cap, as long as Soler is signed by early July. Soler is expected to start in low or high A, and could get up to $30 million if a team gets desperate enough.

Follow me after the jump for more.

The price Soler demands will be the main factor for the Yankees in all likelihood, unless they do not show interest for reasons we do not know. The Yankees have to deal with Nick Swisher's expiring contract, as well as the futures of Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano.

While Soler would be a fantastic addition to the farm system, one would have to think the Yankees would put their major league roster ahead of their minor league depth, given their line of thinking.

Based on various scouting reports Soler looks like a future MLB starter for some team in the outfield, and I hope that team is the Yankees.

Thoughts?

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