The San Francisco Giants officially completed a three-year contract with Jorge Soler, a designated hitter known for his powerful hitting, according to an announcement from the team on Saturday. In a related change to the roster, Austin Warren, a reliever who was recently signed, has been moved to the 60-day injured list.

SF Giants finalize Jorge Soler signing, transfer recently-signed reliever to 60-day IL

Earlier this week, the Giants inked a deal with Austin Warren, wrapping up his three-year tenure with the Los Angeles Angels. The right-handed reliever boasts a track record with the Angels, sporting a 3.55 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, and a 3.10 SO/W ratio.

Unfortunately, Warren’s 2023 season was severely curtailed due to Tommy John surgery in May after just two appearances. The typical recovery span for this surgery falls between 12 to 18 months, often allowing for an earlier return for relievers. However, his transfer to the 60-day injured list means he won’t be eligible to return until 60 days post-season start. With two minor league options remaining, there’s uncertainty if the Giants will recall him once he’s off the injured list, thus providing the team with flexible bullpen depth.

Conversely, the Giants solidified their lineup by adding Jorge Soler, a potent right-handed hitter. His contract spans three years with a total value of $42 million, inclusive of a $9 million signing bonus and yearly salaries of $7 million in 2024, $13 million in 2025, and $13 million in 2026. His cap hit against the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) will be $14 million through 2026.

Soler’s acquisition comes on the heels of a remarkable 2023 season where he posted a .250/.341/.512 line (128 OPS+) with 36 home runs, 75 RBI, and 77 runs across 580 plate appearances. Notably, he maintained an 11.4 percent walk rate, a 24.3 percent strikeout rate, and a .262 ISO.

This season marked Soler’s second instance of hitting at least 30 home runs and his third in the last four seasons surpassing the 20-homer threshold. The Giants haven’t seen a player reach 30 homers since Barry Bonds in 2004, underscoring Soler’s rare power potential. Could he be the one to break the dry spell? Time will reveal the answer.