After being traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Kansas City Royals for Wade Miller in 2017, Jorge Soler has proven to be one of the most consistent power hitters in Major League Baseball over recent seasons. In three of his last four seasons prior to 2025, Soler has hit over 20 home runs in each season, including 36 with the Miami Marlins in 2023.
Soler's career seemed to have renewed life after his World Series run with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. Soler hit 14 home runs in 55 games with the Braves, and it was a reminder of the power that the Chicago Cubs always knew their former prospect had.
Outfielder prospects being blocked at the Major League level has become a norm for the Cubs in recent seasons, and in many ways, Soler was the first prospect where that proved to be the case. Soler never quite had a home with the Cubs, with the 2015 season being the only year he registered over 300 plate appearances with the team in a season.
Nevertheless, Soler has carved a nice reputation for himself as a power hitter, and that led to him signing a three-year deal worth $42MM with the San Francisco Giants last season. An in-season trade back to the Braves, and an offseason trade to the Los Angeles Angels, Soler entered the 2025 season with a new team. Unfortunately, the 2025 season is proving to be the worst season of his career.
Former Cubs' prospect is spiraling, and his new team might regret the deal
In 261 plate appearances this season with the Angels, Soler is hitting .210/.285/.356/80 wRC+ with 8 home runs. Soler's power production is down across the board, with his isolated power rating this season, .146, is the lowest mark of his career since 2017. In fact, Soler's struggles this season have become so pronounced that Bleacher Report suggested he be removed from the Angels' starting lineup.
The Angels likely will be sellers at the trade deadline, but it's difficult to imagine they would be able to find a suitor for Soler. On a two-month rental, there likely would have been a team willing to take a gamble and potentially add Soler to their bench. However, Soler is under contract through 2026 and will earn over $12MM next year.
