The Atlanta Braves made a big move by trading outfielder Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-hander Griffin Canning. This trade signals the start of the hot stove season, with the Angels acquiring a power hitter in Soler and the Braves adding pitching depth to their rotation.
Soler, who hit a memorable home run in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, had a solid season last year with a .241 batting average, 21 home runs, and 64 RBIs. He still has two years left on his contract worth $32 million. On the other hand, Canning, a former second-round pick, struggled last season with a 5.19 ERA over 171⅔ innings for the Angels. He is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season.
With key pitchers Max Fried and Charlie Morton hitting free agency, the Braves needed to bolster their rotation. The trade of Soler allows them to potentially target free agents or make other acquisitions to strengthen the team. Meanwhile, the Angels are looking to improve their lineup with Soler likely to serve as the designated hitter alongside young talents like Logan O’Hoppe, Zach Neto, and Nolan Schanuel.
Both teams are gearing up for the upcoming free agency period, where they can re-sign players and make qualifying offers before the deadline. The Braves, despite being swept in the wild-card round last season, still have solid pitching options like Cy Young hopeful Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Spencer Schwellenbach. The Angels, on the other hand, finished last in the AL West with a 63-99 record and are hoping Soler’s addition will boost their offense.
Overall, this trade sets the stage for what could be an active offseason for both teams as they look to strengthen their rosters for the upcoming season. The Braves will be looking to replace Soler’s production while the Angels are hoping he can provide a much-needed offensive spark. It will be interesting to see how these moves play out in the long run and whether both teams can improve their standings in their respective leagues.
