MLB offseason begins as former SF Giants slugger traded for the second time this year

The offseason began with a fascinating move on Thursday. Atlanta Braves power-hitting DH Jorge Soler was shipped to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for pitcher Griffin Canning according to a team announcement. This move marks the second time that Soler has been traded within the last six months.

MLB offseason begins as former SF Giants slugger traded for the second time this year

It has been a whirlwind of a year for Soler. He remained on the market for much longer than expected, signing with the Giants to a three-year, $42 million deal just as spring training was getting underway.

The Giants did not need a DH-only player, but it was hard to ignore Soler's track record as a solid bat. He was coming off of a strong 2023 campaign in which he slashed .250/.341/.512 (125 wRC+) 36 home runs, 75 RBI, and 77 runs in 580 plate appearances. That type of production has a place in just about every lineup.

Despite locking Soler up to a three-year pact, his time with the club proved to be brief. The righty bat was shipped to the Atlanta Braves along with Luke Jackson in exchange for veteran reliever Tyler Matzek and power-hitting prospect Sabin Ceballos. Ceballos went on a tear at the plate following the deal.

On the other hand, Soler posted a .243/.356/.493 line (135 wRC+) with nine home runs and 24 RBI in 182 plate appearances after rejoining Atlanta. The trade was certainly puzzling from the Giants' standpoint given that he was warming up at the plate for a lineup that was just too thin on above-average hitters.

Plus, the messaging proved to be bizarre as this trade was done to open up playing time for Marco Luciano. However, the Giants gave up on that experiment almost immediately as they looked to compete for a playoff spot. That proved to be a futile attempt.

Of course, the Braves ran into the same issue that the Giants had in that Soler should strictly be limited to DH duties going forward. However, the Angels do believe that he will see time in the outfield with the club in 2025. It is just a tough role to commit a roster spot to a DH-only unless that player is an exceptional hitter.

At times, Soler has been that but he has not done so with consistency. He gives the Angels a solid bat in the lineup that is barren of good hitters.