Late on Monday evening, reports emerged indicating that the San Francisco Giants have reached an agreement with Jorge Soler, a free agent outfielder and designated hitter. Susan Slusser from the San Francisco Chronicle broke the news of a three-year deal, which was later confirmed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Tuesday. The contract is said to be valued at $42 million, averaging $14 million annually.
Soler, who previously played for the Miami Marlins in 2022 and 2023, opted out of a $9 million player option following a season where he boasted a .250/.341/.512 slash line with 36 home runs. As the 2021 World Series MVP, Soler entered the free agent market as one of the premier power hitters available. He will now join the Giants, a team that ranked 11th-lowest in MLB last year in terms of total home runs, with 174.
Spring training for the Giants is scheduled to commence on Wednesday at their Scottsdale site.
The acquisition of Soler represents a significant move in a relatively slow free agency period this offseason, as numerous key free agents are yet to secure deals with any team as spring training draws near for all 30 MLB teams.
In other MLB news, the Baltimore Orioles are grappling with starting pitcher Kyle Bradish’s injury, placing him on the injured list due to a UCL tear. Despite this setback, the Orioles have not approached the Chicago White Sox regarding the acquisition of starting pitcher Dylan Cease, as per reports from USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
Meanwhile, there has been speculation about the future of free agent starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, who remains unsigned as teams gear up for spring training. Although there were expectations for him to re-sign with the Texas Rangers, the team’s general manager, Chris Young, dispelled those rumors, hinting that no additional signings are imminent.
Former White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who is recuperating from Tommy John surgery, is reportedly weighing offers from multiple teams. However, he has set a deadline for Thursday to finalize a deal; otherwise, he plans to continue his rehabilitation independently until late July, when he intends to audition for teams.
There is optimism that the free agent market may pick up soon, potentially as early as Wednesday, with teams able to place players on the 60-day injured list starting on February 14. This move would free up spots on their 40-man rosters, facilitating potential signings.
The Boston Red Sox are actively seeking to bolster their outfield, with reports suggesting they are on the lookout for additions. Although they were not heavily involved in pursuing Soler before he joined the Giants, they are exploring other options to enhance their outfield depth.
Speculation continues regarding the future destinations of notable free agents like Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman. Snell is thought to be leaning towards joining the New York Yankees, while Bellinger’s preferences reportedly include the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, or Los Angeles Angels. As for Chapman, the San Francisco Giants appear to be frontrunners for his signature.
Furthermore, Scott Boras clients dominate the list of top remaining free agents, including Bellinger, Snell, Montgomery, Chapman, and J.D. Martinez, highlighting the significant influence of Boras Corporation in the current free agency landscape.
