2 SF Giants veterans swayed Jorge Soler to join San Francisco
Two veterans and leaders on the SF Giants played a key role in the Jorge Soler signing.
It is no secret that the SF Giants have had a rough time landing free agents in recent years. This is especially true with power hitters who may fear Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions. The Giants were able to sign the right-handed slugger Jorge Soler despite that reputation, and they did it with the help of two veterans on the team in Wilmer Flores and Thairo Estrada.
2 SF Giants veterans swayed Jorge Soler to join San Francisco
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Giants figured they did not have a great shot at signing Soler because his preference was to play on the East Coast. Despite that, as conversations between the Giants and Soler intensified, they called upon Flores and Estrada to help in their pitch to Soler.
Both Estrada and Flores joined the final pitch meeting to lure Soler. The veteran infielders are acquaintances with Soler, so there was a pre-existing relationship that often helps in recruiting free agents.
This also speaks to the increased leadership role that Estrada and Flores play on the Giants. In the past few years as Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, and Brandon Crawford have either retired or moved on to other teams. A new group of leaders has emerged on the Giants. Flores, Estrada, Mike Yastrzemski, Logan Webb, and Austin Slater now appear to be the leaders on the team.
