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San Francisco Giants add much-needed power-hitting outfielder

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The San Francisco Giants have added another free agent outfielder to their roster.

Veteran Jorge Soler, who played last season with the Miami Marlins, has agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with the Giants, according to a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal. The official spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been announced. 

Soler, who hit 36 home runs for the Marlins in 2023, gives the Giants a much-needed power bat in the middle of their lineup. They had the fourth-lowest slugging percentage in the majors last season (.383) and team’s leading home run hitter, first baseman Wilmer Flores, hit just 23. No one else had more than 18 homers.

The signing was San Francisco’s second major addition this offseason, following Japanese outfielder Jung Hoo Lee’s six-year, $113 million deal. However, Lee is more of a contact hitter and a plus defender in center field.

Soler, 31, played 32 games in the outfield last season for Miami and served as the designated hitter for 102 games. Since the Giants also have Mike Yastrzemski, Luis Matos and Austin Slater in the outfield, Soler will likely spend most of his time at DH, possibly sharing time with lefty-swinging Michael Conforto.

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This post appeared first on USA TODAY