“The team is hungry; the team is ready to go,” Soler said through a translator, per MLB Network. “Looking back at these last couple of weeks, (I) can tell the atmosphere how different it is.”
The Angels acquired Soler from the Braves in late October due to a trade. Los Angeles sent pitcher Griffin Canning to the Braves. The slugger believes a postseason berth is within reach this season for the Angels.
“It definitely feels like this is a squad that can get it done,” Soler added.
Soler will play both right field and also act as the designated hitter for the Angels this season.
The Angels are still trying to recover from losing Shohei Ohtani
The Angels received a heavy blow after the 2023 season when Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers. That loss stung even more when Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers to a 2024 World Series championship. The slugger and pitcher Ohtani had never been to the playoffs with the Angels.
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Los Angeles is trying to build a championship roster to compete in the American League. Soler is a strong addition and will help the team’s offense. In 2024, Soler batted at a .241 average playing for the Braves and San Francisco Giants. He hit 21 home runs and drove in 64 runs on the season.
“It’s somebody that can change a game in one swing of the bat,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said when Soler was acquired, per the Associated Press. “Can go play the outfield if you need him to.
“Great human being; A-plus clubhouse guy, somebody that our manager has familiarity with. Just felt like it was a really clean fit, really good fit for us and somebody that could help change our lineup.”
In the 2024 season, the Angels finished with a 63-99 record. The team hasn’t won their AL West division since the 2014 season. It’s been a long postseason drought for the franchise, and fans are desperate for success.
Soler joins a team that has a veteran slugger in Mike Trout. Trout is the anchor of the team’s offense. The two players will also most likely switch out at the DH and right field positions throughout the season as Trout will no longer man center field in an effort to save wear and tear on his body.
Soler has also played with the Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, and Chicago Cubs in his career. He has 191 career home runs and 516 career RBIs. Angels fans are excited to see what Soler can do.
