According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Jorge Soler, the standout free agent known for his hitting prowess and the 2021 World Series MVP, has reached a three-year deal with the Giants. Details regarding the financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed. Soler was among the notable position players available in the free agent market, along with Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, and J.D. Martinez.
The Red Sox were initially connected to Soler in early January and have consistently been mentioned in discussions about his potential destination, despite interest from other teams such as the Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Mets, and others.
In theory, the 31-year-old (turning 32 on Feb. 25) would have been a suitable addition to the Red Sox lineup as a right-handed hitter in the middle of the order, complementing lefties Rafael Devers and Triston Casas. Soler could have filled in at designated hitter for the Red Sox while also playing in the outfield corners.
As Boston heads into camp, their outfield group, consisting of Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O’Neill, Rob Refsnyder, Masataka Yoshida, and potentially Ceddanne Rafaela, lacks proven experience.
The Red Sox’s inability to secure Soler’s signature extends a pattern seen throughout the offseason, where the team has repeatedly missed out on free agents they had expressed interest in.
Soler, who was ranked as the 16th free agent in the class by MLBTradeRumors at the start of the winter, now joins a list of players including pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shōta Imanaga, Eduardo Rodriguez, Seth Lugo, Jordan Hicks, Yariel Rodriguez, and outfielder Teoscar Hernández, all of whom the Red Sox pursued before signing with other teams. Lucas Giolito, who was one spot behind Soler on MLBTR’s list at No.
17 and signed with the Red Sox in late December, remains the only free agent to join Boston for a contract exceeding $1 million this offseason.
Last season, Soler achieved a batting average of .250 with 36 home runs, 75 RBIs, and an .853 OPS in 137 games while playing for the Marlins, earning his first All-Star selection. Joining the Giants marks Soler’s fifth team in 11 seasons, having previously played for the Cubs, Royals, and Braves.
As spring training camps kick off in Florida and Arizona, there are still 13 of MLBTR’s top 50 free agents who have yet to find a team. Apart from the top four names, Bellinger, Chapman, Snell, and Montgomery, there are several experienced players still available, including Martinez, Clevinger, Lorenzen, Urshela, Rosario, Merrifield, Belt, Hendriks, and Anderson.