The Braves waited until there was less than 24 hours until the trade deadline to make their first move, but it’s expected to be a significant addition in the form of a pair of reunions with Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson.
Atlanta ended up shipping Tyler Matzek and a low-level minor-league infielder to San Francisco in exchange for the 2021 World Series MVP and veteran reliever.
On the surface, the trade may not seem like much because Soler’s numbers this season aren’t eye-popping. The slugger is slashing just .240/.330/.419 with 12 home runs, good for a .749 OPS.
Those aren’t stellar numbers, but for two reasons Braves fans should be excited. Most importantly, it is still an improvement over what Atlanta has been trotting out in the outfield. Secondly, he’s been excellent as of late, surging ahead of the trade deadline.
Jorge Soler has a .280/.374/.486 slash line with six homers and 24 RBI since June 1. He’s hitting more balls harder and taking more walks. Not only is a productive bat a welcomed addition to this Braves lineup, but his willingness to take his walks may be the most underrated aspect of the acquisition. Soler boasts an 11.2 BB%, which is currently the highest mark for Atlanta’s lineup.
When the Braves traded for Jorge Soler at the trade deadline in 2021, he was hitting just .192 with a .658 OPS and 13 home runs in 94 games with the Royals. In the next 55 games in Atlanta, Soler went on to hit .269 with an .882 OPS and 14 home runs.
His peripherals from 2024 are also not too far off from his 2021 marks, so Braves fans should be very excited about the Jorge Soler trade.
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Photographer: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
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