The Angels wasted little time in making the first significant move of the offseason, acquiring slugger Jorge Soler from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Griffin Canning on Thursday, just one day after the World Series ended.
Soler, 32, hit .241 with 21 homers and a .780 OPS last season, splitting between the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves. He is signed for two more years, at $13 million per season.
General manager Perry Minasian said the Angels needed to add more power to the lineup, and this was the first step. He also said Soler could play outfield, as well as designated hitter.
Canning, 28, had a 5.19 ERA in a career-high 171â…” innings, including 31 starts and one outing behind an opener. He was arbitration eligible for one more season before becoming a free agent.
More to come on this story.
