Atlanta Braves Land Key Acquisitions in Blockbuster Trade with San Francisco Giants
The Atlanta Braves have made a significant move as they aim to bolster their lineup and pitching staff, acquiring outfielder Jorge Soler and reliever Luke Jackson from the San Francisco Giants. In return, the Giants will receive pitcher Tyler Matzek and prospect Sabin Ceballos.
Soler, 32, enters the Braves' roster while in the first year of a three-year, $42 million contract. This season, he has posted a batting line of .240/.330/.419 and has hit 12 home runs in 93 games. Despite these modest numbers, Soler's potential remains high, especially considering his robust performance last year with the Miami Marlins, where he recorded a .853 OPS and smashed 36 home runs.
The Braves have been in dire need of reliable outfielders due to significant injuries. Losing Ronald Acuña Jr. to a season-ending torn ACL in May and facing a long-term absence from center fielder Michael Harris II due to a hamstring injury, the team's outfield has struggled for stability. In recent weeks, Jarred Kelenic has been regularly fielding for the Braves, while Adam Duvall, Ramón Laureano, and Eddie Rosario have also rotated through the outfield positions.
Interestingly, Soler has not played a single inning in the field in 2024. This places him in a complex position, given that Marcell Ozuna is the Braves' locked-in designated hitter. With Ozuna's contract expiring after this season—albeit with a $16 million club option for 2025—the Braves are banking on Soler's bat to make a significant impact in the games to come.
Accompanying Soler is the 32-year-old right-handed reliever Luke Jackson. This season, Jackson has had a challenging run, posting a 5.40 ERA over 35 innings. His ERA and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) statistics sit at 4.49 and 4.63, respectively. Jackson's addition is seen as a means to further solidify the Braves' bullpen, which has had its fair share of struggles this season.
On the receiving end, the San Francisco Giants, who currently tally a 53-55 record and are four games out of a postseason spot, have taken a calculated risk by acquiring Tyler Matzek and Sabin Ceballos. Matzek, who underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-2022, has struggled upon his return, conceding 11 runs in 10 innings this season. Currently on the injured list with elbow inflammation, Matzek's season has been a tumultuous one. His remaining $1.9 million salary for this season will be taken over by the Giants.
The other piece of the trade, Sabin Ceballos, is a 21-year-old prospect who is currently hitting .250/.353/.354 with three home runs in 84 games at High Class-A. Ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the Braves' system by Baseball America, Ceballos has notable potential. Scouts have praised his "impressive bat speed but an uphill swing that creates contact concerns," highlighting both his promise and areas for development.
For the Braves, who hold a 56-49 record and currently sit 1.5 games up in a wild-card spot, these acquisitions are pivotal as they aim to make a deep postseason run. By taking on Soler’s entire $13 million salary for 2025 and 2026, the Braves demonstrate their willingness to invest heavily in their championship aspirations. As the season progresses, the performances of these new additions will be critical in determining whether the Braves can overcome their current predicaments and solidify their standing among the league's elite teams.