The MLB season officially ended yesterday and the first trade of the off-season just took place this evening between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels.
Since the season is officially over since last night, teams are not allowed to start trading players but they still need to wait a total of five days before officially signing free agents.
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired first baseman Jorge Soler
The first trade of the MLB off-season happened this evening with the Braves trading first baseman Jorge Soler to the Angels in exchange for pitcher Griffin Canning from Los Angeles.
OFFICIAL: The Angels have acquired OF/DH Jorge Soler from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for RHP Griffin Canning.
Breaking News: Jorge Soler is trade to the Angels Per Source familiar with the situation #JorgeSoler #mlb #angels
It looks like the Braves idea behind moving Soler was freeing up cap space as free agency approaches while the Angels were looking for a permanent first baseman for next season.
No money involved. So, the Braves basically just got rid of the $26M they would have owed Soler over the next two seasons. Canning is just a potential fifth starter candidate if he�s not non-tendered
This is beginning on an extremely busy part of the MLB off-season as teams look to make trades prior to the free agent market opening up on Monday which should see plenty of names come off the board in the first day.
This might have been the first trade but there will likely be quite a few that follow in the coming days and teams prepare for free agency to begin.