Former Miami Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler is looking forward to joining the San Francisco Giants this spring. Soler signed a three year deal with the Giants on Sun Feb 18, 2024 (AP News file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants announced the signing of free agent slugger Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42-million deal to wrap up an interestingly-productive off-season for the team and President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi.

Despite popular belief, the Giants had a solid off-season. They brought on the old-time baseball man, Bob Melvin, as their manager. Then after missing out on Shohei Ohtani, they struck gold with Korean superstar, Jung-hoo Lee. They also added veteran left-handed starter Robbie Ray, as well as flame-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks, whom they will convert to starter.

Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on Tuesday in Scottsdale, Arizona, but that didn’t stop Zaidi from adding to the club. It has been a slow off-season throughout Baseball, and with quite a few choices still to choose from, Zaidi set his sights on the slugging outfielder, Jorge Soler.

Zaidi had traded outfielder Mitch Haniger to the Seattle Mariners in January, and right away, Zaidi got into contact with Soler. The Giants’ pitch to Soler included a zoom call, which was joined by Wilmer Flores and Thairo Estrada, whom along with Logan Webb and Mike Yastrzemski, are considered the clubhouse leaders for the Giants.

The deal was first reported Monday night by Susan Slusser, the Giants Beat Writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Soler was introduced Saturday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium, the spring training home of the Giants.

“This is a guy that [brings] you a real impact as a manager,” said Manager Bob Melvin, who plans to hit Soler cleanup. “One guy can have a big impact, especially with that type of power. One swing’s always potentially three runs [with Soler].”  

Soler, who hit 36 home runs for the Miami Marlins last season, is a good fit for the Giants. He is the first true slugger they have had since Barry Bonds left at the end of the 2007 Season. The Giants have not had a single player hit 30 home runs in a season since Bonds hit 45 in 2004, and Soler who also hit 48 home runs in 2019, stands a good chance of ending this slump.

“I expect to have good numbers here,” said Soler through translator and Giants Spanish Play-by-Play Announcer Erwin Higueros. “As far as the team, I was able to talk to the coaches [and] to [Melvin], and hearing about the chemistry that they have, [that is what] I like most.”

Soler also has two rings. He was a big part of the 2016 Chicago Cubs, who beat the Cleveland Indians in a seven-game fall classic to end the 108-year Curse of the Billy Goat, the largest championship drought in Sports History. 

Soler was also the 2021 World Series Most Valuable Player for the Atlanta Braves in their six-game series win over the Houston Astros. He led off that world series with a home run, and then hit a mammoth home run that left Minute Maid Park entirely in Game 6. 

Soler will primarily be used as a designated hitter, but he should see time in the outfield, where the Giants are pretty much set with Michael Conforto in left; Lee in center; and Yastrzemski in right. 

The Giants are now also set offensively, as J.D. Davis (third); Marco Luciano (short); Estrada (second); and Flores (first) are set to make the infield. There is also excitement surrounding Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, who is entering his sophomore season.

Other Notes:

• Position players reported to camp on Saturday, and are set for their first official workout today, and they will continue to get ready for the Giants’ cactus league opener next Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. 

• The Giants will also be joined by guests, as is the custom every spring. This year’s guests will include Barry Bonds; Buster Posey; Hunter Pence; Will Clark; Ron Wotus; Dave Righetti; and Dusty Baker.

• Giants’ two-way prospect, Reggie Crawford, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, will now primarily focus on hitting. 

“The primary focus is hitting,” said Crawford. I decided on that a few weeks ago, so that’s what we’re going to do.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com