The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a trade with the Atlanta Braves to land outfielder Jorge Soler in exchange for starting pitcher Griffin Canning, the team announced on Thursday.
L.A. did not hide the fact that they would be active in trying to improve their team in 2025. Owner Arte Moreno opened the door for general manager Perry Minasian to spend and make deals that would push the team towards competing for the postseason next year. And they’ve wasted absolutely no time doing that.
Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the World Series — in which the L.A. Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to secure their second championship in five seasons — the Angels have made the first trade of the offseason by landing Soler and dealing Canning to Atlanta.
Soler bounced between the San Francisco Giants and Braves in 2024, slashing .241/.338/.442 with a .780 OPS, 121 OPS+ and 21 home runs. He was an All-Star for the Miami Marlins in 2023, when he posted an .853 OPS and 123 OPS+ for the season with 36 home runs.
The 32-year-old veteran has two years and $32 million remaining on his contract that he signed with Miami. He instantly becomes arguably the second best bat in the Angels lineup after a healthy Mike Trout, as he has been a model of consistency over the last 10 years in the Majors.
Meanwhile, the Angels officially part ways with Canning, who has been with the team for the last five seasons. Despite pitching a career high 171.2 innings last season, he struggled mightily. He finished with a 5.19 ERA and 1.398 WHIP while giving up the most earned runs (99) in the American League.
He lands in a perfect spot with the Braves, who have a much better history of developing pitchers than the Angels. This trade appears to be a win-win for both sides, as they land a player in a position of need while moving on from someone they may not have had room for in 2025.
Where Jorge Soler slots in
Soler has played both right field and designated hitter over the course of his career. And with Trout’s health issues and a rotating cast of outfielders, he is likely to do a bit of both with the Angels as well. As things currently stand, he will bat in the heart of the Angels order as well.