SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Jorge Soler #2 of the San Francisco Giants runs up the first base line after hitting an rbi single scoring Brett Wisely #0 against the Minnesota Twins in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on July 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

Braves make surprise trade to land Soler from Giants

2 years ago
Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

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.

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