The San Francisco Giants traded both Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson to the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline, hoping the duo could rekindle the magic that contributed to the Braves’ 2021 World Series victory. However, they were knocked out in the Wild Card round.
By trading both players, the Giants essentially acknowledged their mistake in signing them. Luke Jackson, a right-handed reliever recovering from injury, performed well in 2023 with a 2.97 ERA over 33 appearances. However, he struggled in 2024, finishing with a 5.40 ERA for the Giants.
After the trade, Jackson improved slightly with the Braves, posting a 4.50 ERA over 16 games. He also pitched in Game 1 of the Wild Card series, giving up one earned run in two innings. Jackson has a $7 million club option for 2025, but it’s likely the Braves will buy him out for $2 million, making him a free agent.
Jorge Soler also performed better after being traded to the Braves, hitting .243/.356/.493 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs, improving on his numbers with the Giants. In the Wild Card series, he recorded a hit in every game, including a solo home run in Game 2, though the Braves ultimately lost the series. Soler’s hefty 3-year, $42 million contract was a key reason the Giants traded him, as his performance with the Giants hadn’t justified the investment.
As for who “won” the trade, it’s still too early to tell. The Giants received reliever Tyler Matzek, whom they later cut, only for the Braves to re-sign him on a minor league deal. They also acquired a versatile prospect, Sabin Ceballos, who could potentially make the trade worthwhile if he develops. Ultimately, the Giants made the deal to shed salary after realizing Soler’s contract was a misstep. While the Braves brought back two key players from their 2021 championship, they couldn’t replicate that success this time around.
