MLB Updates: San Francisco Giants Sign Superstar Slugger, Follow Up Korean Star Signing with DH Addition

After weeks of whispers, the San Francisco Giants have finally added a heavy hitter to their lineup. The team that has famously struggled with its offense ever since the peak of Barry Bonds has tried to solve this issue many times. However, their failure to sign a big free agent became a running gag. But the Bay Bombers may have hit back now that they’ve agreed to a deal with Jorge Soler. 

The former World Series MVP had a tremendous season in 2023. His immense performance laid the bedrock for a surprise playoff appearance for the Miami Marlins. With the player now making his way to the Giants, fireworks are sure to go off in the Bay Area especially as the Bay Bombers might not be done just yet with the free-agent market. 

Jorge Soler provides a much-needed spark to the Giants’ lineup 

It was the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser who was the first to reveal that Jorge Soler had agreed to a three-year deal with the Bay Bombers. The 32-year-old declined a $13 million player option with the Marlins after his successful 2023. Hoping to extract a big contract out of that season, Soler entered into the free agency. As of this moment, that bet on himself has turned out to be the right decision. 

2023 was the first time that Soler became an All-Star. Not only did he hit 36 home runs but also slashed an impressive .250/.341/.512/.853. Part of the reason for this impressive performance was the relative lack of injuries that Soler suffered apart from a little right oblique strain in September.

The Giants are hoping that Soler maintains this form with them as well. The team hasn’t had a slugger hit 30 home runs ever since Barry Bonds did in 2004. Also in the past two years, the hitting has seen a decline after a renaissance of 2021. However, with the addition of Soler and Jung-Ho Lee, the Bay Bombers have surely strengthened their lineup. 

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The best part about all of this? They may not be done just yet. With Soler playing as a DH, there’s still a spot available in the team’s infield. 

The Bay Bombers to add another slugger to their ranks?

Apart from Soler, the Giants have also been heavily linked with Matt Chapman. The Gold Glove winner’s defensive acumen and past slugging record could make him an important addition to the team. The Bay Bombers have missed the past two playoffs and have won only once in their division since 2013. As a result, most insiders expected GM Farhan Zaidi to fill the gaps as quickly as possible. 

So now that it’s the closing stretch of the offseason and the market is still flush with free agents, one can expect more such deals soon. Only question remains – will the Giants succeed in creating a formidable lineup of Soler and Chapman?

Read more: Matt Chapman to the Giants a Match Made in Heaven? Defensive Star’s Perfect Fit Emerges Amidst Prolonged Off-Season