SF Giants absolutely made the right call in shipping power-hitting bat at 2024 MLB trade deadline

The SF Giants had a bizarre approach at the 2024 MLB trade deadline. That said, they did make the right call on one move, and that was shipping Jorge Soler to the Atlanta Braves.

SF Giants absolutely made the right call in shipping power-hitting bat at 2024 MLB trade deadline

We did a quick review of the Rafael Devers trade, and while Devers has not done well in the very early going, Boston's side of that deal has been equally as unfavorable. We are shifting gears to another recent trade now.

The Giants are facing off against the Braves in a three-game series on the road. You will notice that Soler is nowhere to be seen, as he was shipped to the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason.

The Giants received veteran reliever Tyler Matzek and corner infield prospect Sabin Ceballos. The Braves acquired Soler along with Luke Jackson. Atlanta also assumed much of the remainder of Soler's three-year, $42 million deal. The Angels have since taken on the remainder of Soler's deal.

That deal was bizarre for a couple of reasons. For starters, Soler was just months into his new deal. Also, the Giants were intending to compete for a playoff spot, and while Soler's numbers were not that strong was San Francisco, he was still an above-average hitter. Overall, he posted a .749 OPS with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 392 plate appearances with the Giants.

The veteran bad went on a tear following the deal, recording an .849 OPS with nine home runs and 24 RBI in 182 plate appearances. Despite this, the Braves were still motivated to move him in the offseason.

Since joining the Angels, Soler has struggled to a .674 OPS in 310 plate appearances in the second year of a three-year deal. He has spent some time in the outfield, but DH is his best position. It is why the Giants did not experiment with him in the field.

It was a puzzling move at the time, but the Giants deserve credit for being able to move Soler and his contract. Sure, the initial signing was questionable in the first place, but there were no long-term consequences. The Giants likely got the best of the deal, followed by the Braves, with the Angels comfortably coming in last place.