ATLANTA — It didn't take long for the Braves to make a move.
On Thursday. ESPN's Jeff Passan announced that the Braves traded 2021 World Series hero Jorge Soler to the Los Angeles Angels for right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning.
This move kicked off the 2024 offseason. It came less than 24 hours after the Dodgers, led by former Brave Freddie Freeman, defeated the Yankees 7-6 to win the team's eighth World Series.
While Soler is reunited with former Braves coach Ron Washington in Los Angeles, Canning joins the second team of his career. Atlanta traded Soler's entire $26 million contract, so while Los Angeles absorbs a lot of money, the gain a powerful bat, and strong designated hitter.
What is there to know about the 28-year-old pitcher?
Canning was first drafted in 2014 out of high school, but elected to go to UCLA. He was then drafted in the second round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Angels.
Canning made his full time major league debut in 2019, where he went 5-6, started 17 of his first 18 appearances and had a ERA of 4.58.
One of his best seasons was in 2020, where he posted a 3.99 ERA on 11 starts. He also had a solid season in 2023, where he started 22 games, struck out 139 batters, walked only 36 batters over 127 innings and posted a 4.32 ERA.
Most recently in 2024, he had one of his worst career performances. He made the most starts in his career with 31 and had an ERA of 5.19 and a 6-13 record.
On paper, it appears that the Braves possibly downgraded positionally from Soler to Canning. So why make the move?
It's no secret that the Braves needed more pitchers, though this was likely a move to save money.
The Braves got rid of Solen's entire $26 million contract. Soler also didn't have a clear role with the 2025 team, as Ronald Acuña Jr. and Marcell Ozuna fill both roles he would've added to the team.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves will have $13 million freed up in the 2025 cash payroll figure. This could help the Braves add a top shortstop or a key arm in the rotation, either a starter or someone to join the bullpen.
While this was the first move by the Braves, it likely won't be the last, as general manager Alex Anthoppoulos works to retool Atlanta into a prime world series contender.