The addition of Jorge Soler has added a legitimate power source to the San Francisco Giants lineup.

The right-handed hitting Soler, who turns 32 February 25, gives the Giants a power source in the middle of a lineup that is in need of greater run production.

After spending the past two seasons with the Miami Marlins, Soler signed a three-year deal. He will get a $9 million signing bonus, and a $7 million salary for 2024. He will then receive $13 million in each of the 2025, and 2026 seasons.

According to Fangraphs, the addition of Soler brings the Giants estimated 2024 player payroll to $164 million, a decrease of $32 million from last season.

It would seem the Giants still have plenty of salary room to add even more power or offensive improvement to their batting order.

As of this writing, players like Cody Bellinger, Adam Duvall, and J.D. Martinez remain on the free agent market.

About Jorge Soler:

In 2010 and 2011, Jorge Soler played for La Habana in the Cuban National Series, when he was just 17, and 18-years old.

Soler was viewed as the best overall player on the Cuban Bronze Medal Team in the 2010 World Junior Championships.

Soler was unsuccessful in his first attempt to defect from Cuba, but he did succeed in 2011.

Soler signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2012.

Soler was so highly regarded, the Cubs signed him to a nine-year, $30 million contract. His contract included a $6 million bonus.

Soler made his big league debut with the Cubs in August 2014, when he was just 22-years-old.

Even with his outstanding power potential, Soler played only parts of three seasons with the Cubs.

The Cubs traded Soler to the Kansas City Royals on December 7, 2016, getting pitcher Wade Davis in return from the Royals.

On July 30, 2021, the Royals traded Soler to the Atlanta Braves for relief pitcher Kasey Kalich.

Entering free agency at the conclusion of the 2021 season, Soler signed with the Miami Marlins, where he played until he once again reached free agency at the end of this past season.

In parts of 10 big league seasons, Soler has compiled an offensive stat line of .243/.330/.467/.797, with 163 doubles, three triples, 170 home runs, and 452 RBIs in 3,473 plate appearances.

Slow afoot, Soler has stolen only 11 bases in his meager 16 stolen base attempts.

At 6-4, 235 pounds, like many power hitters, strikeouts remain an issue for Soler.

Soler’s Power:

Jorge Soler will be coming off his final year in Miami, when he hit 36 home runs, and drove in 75 runs in 580 plate appearances.

Last year was his only All Star season.

In his best power season, Soler hit 48 home runs, and drove in 117 runs for the 2019 Kansas City Royals.

Soler was named the 2021 World Series Most Valuable Player, as his Braves defeated the Houston Astros in six games.

In that World Series, Soler hit .300, with three homers, and six RBIs. He was a unanimous choice for MVP.

His postseason success for the Braves, coupled with his outstanding 2023 season with the Marlins, highlight Soler as a true power threat, capable of changing a game with one swing of his bat.

Some analysts believed Soler would earn more than $14 million annually for three years as a free agent. So, some may view the Giants acquisition of Soler as a bargain.

Projected San Francisco Giants Lineup:

With the Giants, Fangraphs projects Soler to hit in the cleanup spot, and serve as the team’s designated hitter.

Short of an additional offensive player addition, here is the opening day lineup Fangraphs projects for manager Bob Melvin’s Giants:

Jung Hoo Lee-CF

Thairo Estrada-2B

LaMonte Wade Jr.-1B

Jorge Soler-DH

Michael Conforto-LF

Wilmer Flores-3B

Mike Yastrzemski-RF

Patrick Bailey-C

Marco Luciano-SS

What Soler Can Mean To The Giants:

When he was signed by the Cubs out of Cuba, at full player skill maturation, Soler was projected to be a Grade 65 player.

A Grade 65 player is a consistent All Star.

A Grade 65 player is among the best in the game in any given year.

Soler has fallen short of that lofty projection.

However, he remains dangerous, as he demonstrated last year with the Miami Marlins.

Soler has the potential to make every hitter in the Giants lineup more impactful.

Soler has the potential to eclipse the 23 homers hit last year by Wilmer Flores, the most on the Giants roster.

Pitchers must now cope with the fact that Soler lurks in the middle of the batting order. His presence may mean hitters like Wade Jr., Conforto, and Flores may see better pitches to hit.

Opposing managers are fond of saying, “Don’t let this guy beat us.” That guy will be Jorge Soler.

To this old scout, because they have added Jung Hoo Lee, and Jorge Soler, the San Francisco Giants are a much more formidable offensive team today than they were when the 2023 season ended.