If the Boston Red Sox are anything, they're consistent. One day from the pitchers and catchers report date, the offseason pattern continues; the Red Sox show interest in a player, then let him sign somewhere else.
This time, it was Jorge Soler.
The right-handed slugger would've added some pop that Boston desperately needs to its roster and he could've shaken up the lefty-heavy order. Soler hit 36 home runs playing half his games at loanDepot Park, a number that surely would've escalated had he signed with the Red Sox to play more than half of his games at Fenway Park. Boston fans imagined Soler peppering Landsdowne Street with long balls, but that dream is no more.
Late in the night of Feb. 12, Soler signed with the San Francisco Giants, per Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle. And they got a great deal for him.
The Giants signed Jorge Soler for a price the Red Sox should've jumped on weeks ago
The contract was later confirmed by MLB insider Jim Bowden to be a three-year, $42 million deal, but original reports speculated an AAV somewhere between $12-17 million per year. Even $17 million would be a small price to pay for 30-plus homers in one season. Red Sox ownership absolutely could've justified signing Soler for that amount of money. And they should've.
In a press conference on Tuesday morning, manager Alex Cora said that Masataka Yoshida will be spending the majority of his time as designated hitter. He suggested Wilyer Abreu could be playing left field most of the time and that Ceddanne Rafaela, if he makes the team, will likely be spending the majority of his time at center field.
Coming to the Bay Area soon 💪
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 13, 2024
A look back at Jorge Soler's 3-run homer in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series 💥 pic.twitter.com/4YzRlQZzkW
In the most competitive division in baseball, the Red Sox are potentially going to run out two rookie outfielders when they had every chance to sign an experienced player for a reasonable price. And the front office is still going to look fans in the face and tell them that they're trying to win and that fans are lying if they don't believe them.
Soler could've been the first step to making the club better, and signing him would've been among the least expensive ways to field the best possible team. He was far and away the best bat available and many experts said Soler would be the best fit with Boston.
But the men in charge don't care what experts say. All they care about is staying under the luxury tax threshold. The worst part? Even with Soler on the team, they could've done it.
With spring training just days away, Boston is out of excuses.