Bruce Bochy and the Rangers scoop up former SF Giants Silver Slugger winner

The Texas Rangers just signed former SF Giants Sliver Slugger winner Donovan Solano. Bruce Bochy’s squad is trying to make a playoff push so maybe Solano is the one extra bat they need.

Texas also signed veteran pitcher Cal Quantrill. Both he and Solano were inked to minor league deals so they may get called up to the big league club at some point.

Former SF Giants infielder scooped up by Bruce Bochy

Solano appeared in 69 games with the Seattle Mariners this season after signing with them in the offseason and slashed .252/.295/.344 with three home runs and 21 runs batted in. 

Ever since the Mariners acquired first baseman Josh Naylor, Solano has seen his playing time decrease which is why he was ultimately cut. He figures to have more opportunities in Texas since the team’s infield has been depleted by injuries as of late.

Solano and Bochy did overlap for a year in San Francisco back in 2019. It was Bochy's final year as the manager of the Giants and in the offseason the team had signed Solano to a minor league deal.

He got called up in the middle of the season and started raking, slashing .330/.360/.456 with four homers and 23 runs batted in across 81 games. It was completely unexpected and it was natural to think it was something of a fluke but Solano backed it up in 2020 by slashing .326/.365/.463 with three homers and 29 runs batted in during the shortened 2020 season which earned him the Silver Slugger Award for National League second baseman.

Bochy likely has fond memories of Solano from that short time spent together. Even after the infielder departed the Giants, he has remained a solid hitter for several teams and has put up remarkably consistent numbers over the last several years.

The Rangers are right in the thick of the AL Wild Card race as they are 1.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners for the third spot. Maybe Solano can get hot and get some revenge on his former team.

Bochy, who just a month ago seemed like he could be headed back to the Giants with the fortunes of both teams sinking, has turned things around for Texas and knows as well as anyone that a late-season addition can make all the difference. Look no further than Cody Ross and Marco Scutaro.

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