The Los Angeles Angels traded for outfielder and designated hitter Jorge Soler from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, sending right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning to Atlanta in return.
Soler has been a strong power hitter for five teams during his 11 years in the major leagues. He was the MVP of the 2021 World Series with the Braves and won a championship with the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
Soler mentioned he was surprised by the trade after the Braves had just brought him in from San Francisco three months earlier. He still has two years remaining on the three-year, $42 million contract he signed with the Giants in February.
“I was working out, and I got a call from the GM telling me I was getting traded,” Soler said through an interpreter. “It’s amazing how fast everything happened, but I’m grateful for the Angels for giving me the opportunity.”
The Braves had brought Soler back to boost their offense for a playoff run, but he didn’t seem to fit long-term. Marcell Ozuna is their designated hitter, and Ronald Acuña Jr. is set to return from a knee injury to play right field in 2025.
By trading Soler, Atlanta was able to free up the $26 million still owed to him, while the Angels were keen to add a proven power hitter to their lineup, which often struggled to score.
Soler also has a good relationship with Angels manager Ron Washington and third base coach Eric Young, who both coached him with the Braves in 2021.
“It’s somebody that can change a game in one swing of the bat,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “Can go play the outfield if you need him to. Great human being, A-plus clubhouse guy, somebody that our manager has familiarity with. Just felt like it was a really clean fit, really good fit for us and somebody that could help change our lineup.”
Soler is best known for his performance in the World Series, where he was named MVP. He made history by hitting a home run as the leadoff hitter in the first inning of Game 1, and later, he hit a memorable three-run homer that flew 446 feet out of Minute Maid Park in Game 6, helping the Braves win the championship against the Houston Astros.
In 2019, Soler led the American League in home runs while playing for the Kansas City Royals, hitting a career-high 48. He also made his first All-Star team and hit 36 homers in 2023 with the Miami Marlins, who signed him as a free agent after his success in the World Series.
Soler had a tough time during his 93 games with the Giants, struggling with his timing and swing. However, after joining the Braves on July 29, his performance improved, and he ended the season with 21 homers, 64 RBIs, and a .780 OPS across both teams.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian made the trade with Alex Anthopoulos, who was his boss in Toronto and Atlanta. Minasian mentioned that while Soler is ideally a designated hitter, he will likely play in the outfield as the Angels manage a roster that includes injury-prone veterans Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.
Soler was only a designated hitter for the Giants, but he has played in the corner outfield positions at other teams, even though he is not known for being a strong fielder. “I have no issue at all wherever they put me,” Soler said.
Griffin Canning, the pitcher the Angels traded away, is from Orange County and was a second-round draft pick. He has been in the Angels’ starting rotation for the last six years when healthy.
He won a Gold Glove in 2020 but missed the entire 2022 season due to a back injury. Last season, Canning had a record of 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA, making a career-high 32 starts for the Angels, who ended the year with the worst record in franchise history at 63-99.
“It’s tough,” Minasian said. “It’s someone who took the ball every single time last year, in a year where we had a ton of injuries. He’s one of the reliable guys that was right there, ready to go. Even when he was struggling, and he had struggles, he did take the ball and give everything he had.”
While the Angels increased their payroll by acquiring Soler, Minasian stated that he plans to be active in free agency after a disappointing season without Shohei Ohtani.
“This is move No. 1,” he said. “We expect there to be more moves. I expect to improve this club in a lot of different areas.”
