*Photo from the Miami Herald*
The Bay Area is about to get a dose of Soler power. The San Francisco Giants and OF/DH Jorge Soler have agreed to a 3 year, $42 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Giants have confirmed the addition.
Soler fills a dire need of power in the Giants lineup. In 2023, the Giants ranked 19th in the majors in home runs, 26th in OPS, and 24th in runs scored. He led the Miami Marlins in home runs last season as they made the postseason, falling in the Wild Card round to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, Soler was also selected to his first career All Star Game. He authored a .250/.341/.512 slash line with a 128 OPS+, bashing 36 home runs to go with 24 doubles and 75 RBI's in 137 games. He had one hit in 8 plate appearances in the playoffs.
Coming off his 30 home run season, Soler could be the first 30 homer hitter for the Giants since Barry Bonds in 2004. After he was hampered by injuries in 2022, Soler was largely healthy in 2023 as he played in 137 games, the 3rd most in his career. He became a free agent this offseason after declining a $13 million option with the Marlins.
When Soler gets a hold of the ball, it travels. In 2023, he ranked in the 91st percentile in barrel rate and 94th percentile in expected slugging. While he can play in the outfield, he's best used as a DH, as he only started 31 games in the outfield in 2023 and has -24 outs above average in his career.
Soler has played for the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, and the Marlins in 10 big league seasons. He has a .243/.330/.467 slash line with a 113 OPS+, hitting 170 home runs and 163 doubles with 452 RBI's in 870 games. He has a .274/.391/.630 slash line with 6 doubles, 6 home runs, and 11 RBI's in 28 playoff games, winning the World Series in 2016 and 2021.
This offseason, the Giants have brought in Korean star Jung Hoo Lee, starting pitcher Robbie Ray, and reliever Jordan Hicks in addition to hiring Bob Melvin as manager.
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