Braves make surprise trade to land Soler from Giants
The San Francisco Giants traded designated hitter/outfielder Jorge Soler and reliever Luke Jackson to the Atlanta Braves for left-hander Tyler Matzek and minor-league infielder Sabin Ceballos, the teams announced.
There is no cash included in the deal, which means the Braves will pay the remaining $26 million on Soler's contract, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Soler owns a .240/.330/.419 slash line with 12 homers, 23 doubles, and 40 RBIs. He's in the first season of the three-year, $42-million contract he signed with the Giants in February.
The 32-year-old slugger adds another powerful bat to a potent Braves offense that already includes Marcell Ozuna, Austin Riley, and Matt Olson, but is missing injured stars Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies. Soler will play a corner outfield spot with Ozuna occupying designated hitter on a full-time basis for the Braves, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
Soler appeared in 55 games for the Braves after they acquired him in a 2021 trade. He helped them win a title that season after a dominating performance in the Fall Classic in which he hit three homers and won World Series MVP.
Jackson was also part of the 2021 World Series-winning Braves. The 32-year-old right-hander owns a 5.40 ERA and 8.5 K/9 in 35 innings this season. His best campaign came with the Braves in 2021 when he authored a 1.98 ERA and 9.9 K/9 in 71 appearances.
Matzek has appeared in 11 contests this season, posting a 9.90 ERA. He was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on June 4 because of left elbow inflammation.
Ceballos, a 21-year-old third baseman from Puerto Rico, slashed .259/.353/.354 with 20 doubles and 30 RBIs for High-A Rome. Baseball America ranked him as the Braves' 26th-best prospect.
The Braves designated right-hander Darius Vines for assignment in a corresponding move.