Atlanta Braves reuniting with World Series MVP Soler, reliever Jackson after trade
Jorge Soler celebrates with teammates after their 7-0 victory against the Houston Astros in Game Six to win the 2021 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 02, 2021, in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - National League wild-card leader Atlanta is reuniting with 2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson, a reliever for that championship team.
The Braves acquired Soler and Jackson in a trade with San Francisco late Monday night. Atlanta sent left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek and minor league infielder Sabin Ceballos to the Giants.
Soler, who was also part of the 2016 World Series title team with the Chicago Cubs, hit .240 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 93 games for the Giants this season. The 32-year-old Cuban was an All-Star with Miami last year.
After Atlanta got Soler from Kansas City at the trade deadline in 2021, he hit .269 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs in 55 games the rest of the regular season.
Soler hit three home runs in the World Series against the Astros, and all were significant. He became the first player ever to go deep leading off Game 1 of a World Series, and had the go-ahead homer in Game 4. The deciding Game 6 was scoreless when Soler drove a pitch over the train tracks and out of Houston’s Minute Maid Park for a three-run homer in what became a 7-0 win.
Jackson threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in his three appearances during the 2021 World Series.
In 36 games for the Giants this season, the 32-year-old Jackson was 4-2 with a 5.40 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 35 innings. He is 22-10 with a 4.23 ERA in 322 games over nine big league seasons.
The Braves made room on their 40-man roster when right-hander Darius Vines was designated for assignment.