Morning Rundown: Jorge Soler signs with Giants, FCL schedule changes, projected lineup and rotation
Jorge Soler signs with a new team, projected lineup and rotation for Pirates and changes to the FCL schedule
The San Francisco Giants have signed free agent outfielder Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42 million contract on Tuesday.
Soler, 31, hit 36 home runs with the Miami Marlins last year while also driving in 75 runs. His 36 home runs were tied for the 11th most in baseball. While he has played right field, Soler has primarily been a DH in recent years.
With an outfield that already consists of Michael Conforto, Jung Hoo Lee, and Mike Yastrzemski, there won’t be much pressure on Soler to field at all, he can continue to keep his main contribution with the bat.
Baseball America dropped the news that the Complex Leagues in Arizona and Florida will start a month - and finish - a month early, and the new limits on the number of players teams can have in their organization played a big part in it.
The Complex League seasons will begin on May 4 and end on July 25. Last year, the season ended on August 22.
This will impact drafted players, as the season ends before the draft.
Last year, the Pirates had six (seven if you count UDFA Luke Scherrer) who made their debuts in the FCL and only played there. If new draft picks want to get acquainted with pro ball after signing, they will have to go to Single-A Bradenton.
With pitchers and catchers reporting, MLB.com made an early prediction on what the Opening Day lineup and rotation will be for each major league team. This is what they had for the Pirates;
SS - Oneil Cruz
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes
LF - Bryan Reynolds
CF - Jack Suwinski
1B - Rowdy Tellez
DH - Andrew McCutchen
C - Henry Davis
2B - Jared Triolo
RF - Connor Joe
SP - Mitch Keller
SP - Marco Gonzales
SP - Martin Perez
SP - Quinn Priester
SP - Luis Ortiz
seems like a decent lineup. i’d swap Joe and Triolo to the bench with Peguero & Olivares.
Unless BC gets another starter (doubt it), i’m thinking Roansy + Ortiz for the last 2 rotation spots with Falter as a long man outta the BP.
With only 8 position players noted by MLB.com, I can see Jared Triolo listed as our 2B. However, I think Liover Peguero will be our regular 2B coming out of ST, with Triolo seeing PT as our IF Utility Player which will include time at all 4 IF positions. Another name to be added will be Edward Olivares in RF; Joe will primarily be a platooning RH hitting 1B.