Angels' $42 million slugger likely to be dealt by August 3 trade deadline

The Los Angeles Angels are expected to be sellers at the 2026 MLB trade deadline, and most of the focus on their potential trade chips is on the controllable targets on the roster.

Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano in the starting rotation, and Zach Neto at shortstop, are the big three players drawing interest. Jo Adell is another player to keep an eye on, and there's bound to be more Mike Trout trade rumors this summer as well.

But, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com highlighted a different player, $42 million slugger Jorge Soler, as one player the Angels are likely to trade by the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

Angels likely to trade Jorge Soler by MLB deadline

"But Soler has plenty of postseason experience, including a pair of championship rings and a World Series MVP Award, so a move to a contender could reinvigorate him as he prepares to head back to free agency after the season," Feinsand writes.

The Angels are likely to trade Soler this summer, but that doesn't mean a deal will be easy to come by, or that the return will be very exciting.

Soler is 34 years old and in the final year of a three-year, $42 million contract. He's making way too much money for the Angels to find a trade partner without taking on some of his contract to help facilitate a deal.

This season, Soler is hitting .205 with a .669 OPS and a 90 OPS+ with -0.1 bWAR in 79 games played with 288 total at-bats. He has 11 home runs and 14 doubles with 45 RBIs, and has taken a step back offensively compared to his 120 OPS+ 2024 season.

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But, even though the Angels likely won't get much back in return for Soler, he's still a player the Angels should trade away this summer.

Anything in exchange for him would be a win, as he's going to leave in free agency for nothing. The Angels might as well get something back.

Even though Soler might not be as good as he once was, he's still someone that contenders could show interest in, especially with a barren right-handed hitting market.

The Angels are likely to trade Soler, which can't be said for Detmers, Neto, and Soriano. He might not be highly coveted, but the Angels are likely to part ways with him by the trade deadline on August 3.

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