Juan Soto is reportedly available in trade discussions. This recent news set not only the MLB world on fire, but the entire sports world. Everyone is wondering where the 23-year old superstar might end up. The Washington Nationals have already been linked to a number of teams in reference to a Soto-led trade. MLB insider Jon Heyman reported the Yankees and Mets are interested in acquiring the outfielder. The Dodgers also make sense as a potential suitor. But the San Diego Padres could be a dark horse in the Juan Soto sweepstakes.
On the surface, the Padres and Soto simply make sense. Soto is a young player who enjoys his time on the baseball field. He isn't shy about bat-flipping and having a good time. Meanwhile, San Diego is a laidback city made for good times. Soto's personality would be a hit in San Diego.
However, does it make sense from a baseball perspective?
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The Best Juan Soto Trade Package Padres must offer Nationals
Juan Soto's fit in San Diego
It's safe to say that there would be an opening in the Padres outfield should they trade for Soto. Trent Grisham is hitting under .200 this season. Will Myers has seen his own share of struggles and is currently injured. Jurickson Profar is steady but unspectacular. Nomar Mazara profiles as a fourth outfielder at this stage in his career.
In all reality, the Padres should pursue outfield help ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline. Other options could include Ian Happ of the Cubs or Andrew Benintendi of the Royals.
But Juan Soto is obviously a top candidate.
So what might a trade look like between the Padres and Nationals?
The trade package
The San Diego Padres have a decent farm system. They have a number of impressive young position players who might catch Washington's interest.
Top prospect Robert Hassell III is a 20-year old outfielder with a high ceiling. He offers a balanced skillset and projects to be a consistent MLB player someday.
No.2 Padres top prospect is catcher Luis Campusano. 23-year old Luis Campusano is closer to the big leagues than Hassell III. He is a strong defender with potential to become a quality hitter.
The Nationals would likely ask for at least one of these players.
Washington would probably then ask for a top 10 pitching prospect as well. Reiss Knehr, Robert Gasser, or Victor Lizarraga might peak the Nats' interest.
San Diego would need to add two or three more players to a potential Juan Soto deal. But this is a trade that could certainly come to fruition.
Can the Padres realistically out-bid the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers?
The Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers all play in big markets. They have all displayed a willingness to do whatever it takes to acquire star-studded talent. And they don't often get out-bid.
But the San Diego Padres have just enough prospect capital to make this deal happen. The Padres may need to overpay a bit in order to stand out from the other teams… but this is Juan Soto we are talking about. At jut 23-years old, we likely haven't even seen his peak yet.
Padres fans can expect the team to make an effort to land Soto ahead of the 2022 MLB trade deadline.
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