Padres Likely to Trade Juan Soto Amidst Disappointing 2023 Season
ICARO Media Group
After a disappointing 2023 Major League Baseball season, it seems increasingly likely that the San Diego Padres will trade away Juan Soto. The Padres, who already lost Nick Martinez to the Cincinnati Reds in free agency, are expected to make several more moves including the departure of Blake Snell, Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Josh Hader. This shake-up appears to be aimed at balancing the team's payroll after a heavy investment in the previous season, where they fell short of their World Series aspirations.
Trade talks for Juan Soto are expected to intensify during next week's winter meetings, with several teams expressing interest in the All-Star outfielder. The New York Yankees have reportedly been linked to Soto, but negotiations have hit a roadblock, with both sides currently far apart on a deal. The Padres are said to have their eyes on Clarke Schmidt and Michael King from the Yankees, who they perceive as potential future assets. However, the Padres are determined to receive a significant, multi-player return for Soto, making a simple prospect haul unlikely to entice them. The Athletic reports that Trent Grisham has also been suggested as part of a potential deal with the Yankees.
Another team in the mix for Soto is the Toronto Blue Jays, who are also interested in signing Shohei Ohtani. The Blue Jays, along with the Boston Red Sox, are potential suitors for the two-way star. It is believed that teams who miss out on the Ohtani sweepstakes may come forward with better offers for Soto as they seek to bolster their roster. As the Blue Jays aim to bounce back from consecutive wild-card round sweeps, the pressure to win and secure a World Series title is mounting. Toronto, however, has concerns about potentially paying Soto over $30 million for a single season and then potentially losing him as a free agent.
In an intriguing twist, The Athletic suggests that a three-team deal involving the Padres could be on the table. However, regardless of the team that trades for Soto, they will need to negotiate a new long-term deal with the slugger.
As the winter meetings approach, the Padres are preparing to make significant moves to reshape their roster after the disappointing 2023 season. The trade involving Juan Soto is expected to be the most prominent move, with multiple teams vying for his services. San Diego is determined to secure a substantial return for the All-Star outfielder, while potential suitors must navigate the challenge of negotiating a long-term deal with Soto. Only time will tell where Soto lands and how this trade will shape the future of the Padres and the other teams involved.
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