Atlanta trades Soler to Angels, gets right-hander Canning in return

ATLANTA -- It didn’t take the Braves long to show why they were so confident they could trade Jorge Soler this offseason.

Soler was traded to the Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning on Thursday afternoon, fewer than 24 hours after the World Series concluded. In doing so, Atlanta created $26 million of payroll flexibility over the next two years by moving a player that didn’t fit its future plans.

When the Braves acquired Soler from the Giants on July 30, they had an immediate need to strengthen their injury-depleted lineup for the remainder of the season. They were willing to deal with the defensive limitations the designated hitter showed while serving as their starting right fielder for a couple of months.

But with the injured Ronald Acuña Jr. returning to play right field next season and Marcell Ozuna set to serve as Atlanta’s designated hitter for at least one more season, there was never a long-term fit for Soler, who is owed a $13 million salary in each of the next two seasons.

With this salary being the approximate market value for DHs, Atlanta was always confident it could find a suitor for the veteran slugger.

The Angels assumed the remainder of Soler’s contract and parted ways with Canning, who posted a 5.19 ERA over 32 appearances (31 starts) last season. The 28-year-old hurler could come to camp as a candidate for the Braves' fifth starter, or Atlanta could instead choose to make him a free agent by non-tendering him.

Soler was the 2021 World Series MVP after the Braves acquired him from the Royals before that year’s Trade Deadline. The 32-year-old veteran didn’t find the same magic after returning to Atlanta for the final months of this past season. He was still productive, hitting nine homers and producing an .849 OPS over 49 games for the Braves, who were swept by the Padres in the NL Wild Card Series.