Former Marlins slugger traded by the division rivals

Do you remember when the Miami Marlins moved on from a streaky DH? I'm of course talking about Jorge Soler, who went on to sign with the San Francisco Giants last off-season. In a bizarre turn of events, San Francisco traded him mid-season to the Atlanta Braves. With Atlanta's DH logjam with yet another former Marlin, something had to give. Well, it finally happened.

Former Miami Marlins slugger is on the move again.

Jorge Soler didn't have a good time with the Miami Marlins. He was mostly the same as he's always been: streaky. He batted a dreadful .207/.295/.400 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI, in 72 games and 270 AB. He did a bit better in 2023. That season, he batted .250/.341/.512 with 36 home runs and 75 RBI in 137 games and 504 AB.

Soler was a terrible defender and so was always better off as a Designated Hitter. He was never worth an above average WAR in his time with the team either. Playing for San Francisco and Atlanta this season, he batted .241/.338/.442 with just 21 home runs and 64 RBI in 142 games and 493 AB.

San Francisco traded Soler because they weren't going to make the playoffs and he was clearly a bad contract. He's making $16 million a year for the 2025 and 2026 seasons each. It was surprising that Atlanta was willing to take that deal, but it turned out that it was because they knew they'd come out ahead. They unloaded the bad deal on a team that's made bad moves their trademark. Who? The Los Angeles Angels of course.

The Angels aren't going to make the playoffs next season...or any time soon for that matter. Of course instead of rebuilding, they will instead try to win with Soler. They sent starting pitcher Griffin Canning to Atlanta in return. Canning is more back of the rotation depth, having a career 4.78 ERA/4.78 FIP. This is a great move for Atlanta, who get pitching depth and save payroll while picking up useful starting pitching depth. Hopefully the Miami Marlins have some good moves in store too.