Giants land LHP Matzek, Minor League INF Ceballos from Braves for Soler, Jackson
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The Giants traded designated hitter Jorge Soler and reliever Luke Jackson to the Braves in exchange for Minor League infielder Sabin Ceballos and left-hander Tyler Matzek, the club announced on Monday night.
No cash is being exchanged in the deal, meaning the Braves will be taking on the remaining $26 million owed to Soler in 2025 and ‘26. The 32-year-old Cuban slugger was in the first year of a three-year, $42 million deal he signed with the Giants in February, but his departure should clear the way for the Giants to take an extended look at No. 3 prospect Marco Luciano, who has posted a .927 OPS with six home runs over 19 games for Triple-A Sacramento this month.
TRADE DETAILS
Braves receive: DH/OF Jorge Soler, RHP Luke Jackson
Giants receive: LHP Tyler Matzek, 3B Sabin Ceballos (Braves’ No. 17 prospect)
Jackson was in the final year of a two-year, $11.5 million contract and had a $7 million club option for 2025 with a $2 million buyout.
Soler and Jackson are no strangers to Atlanta, as both were members of the World Series champion Braves in 2021. Soler came over from the Royals in a midseason deal that year and ended up capturing World Series MVP honors after going deep three times in six games against the Astros.
The Giants hoped Soler would carry their offense after signing him to be their everyday DH and cleanup hitter, but he got off to a slow start and struggled to drive in runs consistently. He had more success once the Giants moved him into the leadoff spot and was slashing .280/.374/.486 with six homers, 16 doubles and one triple in 47 games since June 1. Overall, Soler batted .240/.330/.419 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs over 93 games with San Francisco this year.
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Jackson, 32, recorded a 2.97 ERA over 33 games after returning from Tommy John surgery last season, but he took a step back in 2024, logging a 5.40 ERA over 36 appearances.
Matzek, 33, posted a 9.90 ERA over 11 relief appearances for the Braves this year, though he hasn’t pitched since May 4 due to left elbow soreness, making him questionable for the remainder of the season. He has a $5.5 million club option for 2025.
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Ceballos, a 21-year-old third baseman who was ranked the Braves’ No. 17 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was batting .259/.353/.354 with three home runs and 30 RBIs over 84 games with High-A Rome this year. Ceballos hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and played at the University of Oregon before being drafted by the Braves in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft.