This summer, the Los Angeles Angels set out to significantly raise their 2024 team SLG of.369, which placed them 28th in MLB. Mike Trout’s return to prominence as one of the sport’s top power hitters after an injury-plagued season was undoubtedly the key to that turnaround. Nolan Schanuel, Jo Adell, and Logan O’Hoppe needed to be more reliable in driving the ball, Zach Neto and Taylor Ward needed to keep up their level of play, and Perry Minasian went out and added more players to complete the squad.
The primary offseason addition, who was meant to support Trout, Neto, Ward, and company, was unable to fulfill his half of the agreement. Despite Jorge Soler’s terrible season, the Angels’ SLG has improved to.401 so far this season.
Angels’ latest Injured List decision closes door on offseason mistake ahead of Year 2
Soler was just placed on the 60-day disabled list after being acquired from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Griffin Canning. Although there isn’t much hope that he will, the outfielder/designated hitter might theoretically return before the conclusion of the season. Soler will finish the season with a slash line of.215/.293/.387/.680; this is the third-lowest batting average in his career, and the second-lowest OBP, SLG, and OPS. Despite playing in only 82 games this season, he had a 94:28 K:BB, 12 home runs, and 34 RBIs.
Prior to suffering from lower back problems that have kept him out for over two months, Soler last participated in a game on July 23rd. Shortly before his back started to flare up, Soler sustained a groin injury. Trout’s knee problems this season forced the typically full-time DH to play more outfield, which is mostly to blame for both ailments.
Minasian chose to trade Canning for the former top power hitter since he was about to be DFA’d by the Angels. After being released by the Braves, Canning played well for the New York Mets for a stretch of the season before tearing his left Achilles tendon. It was an obvious trade if Trout could play in right field every day. However, since Trout is now a full-time DH, Soler has little to no position on the club. The problem is that Soler has a $13 million deal for the next season.
The Angels will probably keep Soler for the upcoming season if/when they are unable to locate a trade partner to acquire him, based on the Anthony Rendon scenario. In order to get rid of him, the Angels would undoubtedly have to take a portion of his contract, and considering his drastic drop in output, the return would be little. The team will most certainly not postpone any of that $13 million, and waiving and dismissing Soler would mean spending it all next season. Although carrying Soler for the upcoming season is problematic, the organization can try to find a solution to make him a productive part-time player in spite of his exorbitant pay.
Trading for Soler just did not work, therefore it’s hard to argue it was a stupid decision. Soler had performed admirably in the previous two seasons, and Minasian needed to inject some sparkle into the team. Would the Angels look back and regret that decision? Indeed, the atmosphere around the Soler scenario is gloomy as 2026 approaches.
