Jorge Soler to sign 3-year deal with Giants

Former Miami Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler has agreed to a three-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. He is guaranteed $42M, per Mike Rodriguez.

Jorge Soler played 209 games during his two seasons in Miami, slashing .235/.325/.473 (116 wRC+) with a team-leading 49 home runs, accruing 2.3 fWAR. Soler’s Marlins deal was originally three years and $36M guaranteed, but he opted out a year early after an impressive 2023 campaign. He blasted 36 homers—the sixth-highest single-season total in franchise history—and earned his first career All-Star selection. He was particularly valuable against left-handed pitching (181 wRC+) and in clutch situations (3.03 WPA, 14th among qualified MLB hitters).

Once Soler opted out, I was adamant that the Marlins should have made him a qualifying offer ($20.325M for one year). Even with the expectation being that he would reject the offer, the club would’ve received a compensatory pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Instead, they withheld the QO and will wind up losing him for nothing.

Soler was the Marlins’ primary DH last season, accounting for 62.4% of their plate appearances at the position. As currently constructed, the club doesn’t have a default DH. Josh Bell, Luis Arraez, Jake Burger and Avisaíl García are each candidates to start there occasionally when they’re not deployed at first base, second base, third base and right field, respectively. Trey Mancini's career numbers are surprisingly comparable to Soler's, though expectations for the non-roster invitee should be tempered coming off the worst year of his career.

Soler is by far the most notable 2023 Marlin to sign elsewhere in free agency this offseason. The others include David Robertson (Texas Rangers), Joey Wendle (New York Mets), Garrett Hampson (Kansas City Royals), Dylan Floro (Washington Nationals), Jacob Stallings (Colorado Rockies), Daniel Castano (KBO’s NC Dinos), Enmanuel De Jesus (KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes) and Geoff Hartlieb (Colorado Rockies).

Once again, I'll remind you the Marlins are the lone MLB team that hasn't made any major league free agent signings this offseason.