Report: SF Giants 'in talks' with top free agent slugger Jorge Soler
With less than two weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the SF Giants are still eyeing some late-offseason upgrades. On Monday morning, Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that San Francisco's front office has engaged in conversations to sign designated hitter Jorge Soler (#13-ranked free agent), arguably the best remaining free agent power hitter.
Marlins LF Jorge Soler hits a two-run home run against the SF Giants. (2023)
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
"I’m hearing the Giants are in talks with Jorge Soler - he makes a lot of sense for them given their lack of power," Slusser wrote. "Given the remaining free agents, this is one I think they need to get done to have more pop in the middle of the lineup."
The right-handed slugger has consistently bashed plenty of home runs and worked walks at above-average rates throughout his career. This season with the Marlins, Soler hit .250/.341/.512 with 36 home runs in 580 plate appearances, receiving his first career All-Star selection. With some of the best power in MLB, Soler declined his $9 million player option in search of a long-term deal.
A career .243/.330/.467 hitter with 170 home runs, Soler would easily be the most proven power hitter on the Giants roster. Soler has some of the biggest power in professional baseball, and should still be able to rack up impressive tallies in the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park.
Born and rasied in Cuba, Soler defected from his native country after emerging as a top teenage prospect in the Caribbean. Soler inked a nine-year, $30 million contract with the Chicago Cubs upon becoming eligible to sign. He made his big-league debut with the Cubs in 2014 and appeared in each of the next three seasons.
While Soler was a slightly above average hitter in Chicago (106 OPS+), his defensive struggles in the outfield made it hard for the team to find him a more permanent role. With those questions remaining, the Cubs traded Soler to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Wade Davis.
Soler's tenure in Kansas City got off to a rough start as injuries derailed the majority of his 2017 and 2018 seasons. However, in 2019, Soler played in all 162 games and emerged as one of the best designated hitters in the league. He finished the season with a .265/.354/.569 triple-slash and led the league with 48 home runs.
The Royals traded Soler to Atlanta at the 2021 trade deadline, and the slugger was a key difference maker in Atlanta's run to a World Series title. After winning his second World Series ring, Soler became a free agent and inked a two-year deal with the Marlins. Injuries limited Soler to 72 games in 2022.
Soler has some obvious limitations. Consistently a well below-average outfielder, Soler is really only a viable everyday player as a designated hitter. While he has plenty of power and a penchant for working walks, he is also one of the more strikeout prone hitters in the league. Moreover, as he nears his 32nd birthday, his history of injuries creates some reason for concern as well.
However, after the Giants added a good defensive outfielder this offseason in Jung-hoo Lee, traded Mitch Haniger, and let Joc Pederson sign with the division-rival Diamondbacks in free agency, the team has a bit more flexibility for a bat-first player. Granted, Michael Conforto and Wilmer Flores are currently expected to receive the lion's share of opportunities at designated hitter. If the SF Giants sign Jorge Soler, it could lead the front office to make some additional trades to clear out space on the depth chart.
