Jorge Soler, the Cuban slugger known for his powerful hitting and impressive track record in Major League Baseball (MLB), is set to join the Los Angeles Angels. This early trade marks a significant move in the opening phase of the MLB's "offseason." The Angels swiftly negotiated a player-for-player trade with the Atlanta Braves, exchanging Soler for Griffin Canning, a 28-year-old starting pitcher who struggled in the recently concluded season, which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers emerge victorious.
At 32, Soler brings added strength to his new team, who have already welcomed him on the social media platform X. In 2024, Soler played for two teams, starting with the San Francisco Giants and finishing the season with Atlanta. According to ESPN stats, the right-handed hitter posted a combined batting line of .241/.338/.442, with 21 home runs, 34 doubles, and 64 RBIs over 142 games.
Soler's MLB career statistics include 191 home runs over 11 seasons, highlighted by 48 homers in 2019 with the Kansas City Royals and 36 during his All-Star year with the Miami Marlins in 2023. His postseason accomplishments are notable, with World Series rings from the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and the Braves in 2021. He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Fall Classic, batting .300 and hitting three home runs and a double in Atlanta's six-game win.
From a financial perspective, Soler is under contract for two more years, earning $16 million annually, after signing a three-year deal worth $42 million with the Giants. Importantly, this transaction involved no cash exchange, as it was a straightforward player-for-player deal, meaning the Angels will simply add Soler’s salary to their payroll.