Sep 17, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Juan Soto (22) celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics during the eighth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: San Diego Padres at Oakland Athletics
(New York, NY) – Yankees and Mets fans are hoping to see the hot stove heat up – and many are looking at Padres outfielder Juan Soto as a potential trade target.
At the same time, the GM meetings are ongoing in Scottsdale, Arizona, where San Diego’s GM A.J. Preller addressed the situation.
Preller indicated there’s no rush on the Padres’ part to deal Soto or any other core piece, despite a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw San Diego fail to qualify for the postseason. Preller told MLB.com that the Padres’ front office “really like(s) our position player group. (And) Juan is obviously a tremendous offensive force, a big part of our club. I think we saw last year, as the season went on, the impact he had on our lineup.”
But the team may not consider contract extension talks to be their top priority this offseason. Preller says with Blake Snell a free agent, and Michael Wacha’s option having been declined – acquiring more pitching is the top priority. He sounds open to multiple possibilities concerning Soto: “We’re always a group that listens on any scenario. But again, winning a championship, putting a big-time lineup [on the field] — Juan Soto is a huge factor in that. We understand that.”
Yankees fans may not be happy to hear that sort of thing, as SNY insider Andy Martino suggested the Bombers have at the least “checked in” on a potential trade for Soto. Still, after reports emerged that the Padres had to take out a short-term loan just to meet payroll obligations toward the end of last season, San Diego may have no other choice but to deal Soto, rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.
Mega agent Scott Boras represents Soto.
On Wednesday he addressed his client’s situation, explaining he “met with the Padres, (and) they laid out their plan for next year which obviously included a lineup that definitely includes Juan Soto. He’s their one .900 OPS player. They’re looking for more left-handed bats, rather than less.”
And for the Padres, it’s a question of balancing what’s best for the club at present, and in the future. Preller admitted that reality this week saying, “Juan long-term [versus] Juan on a one-year deal, that brings different dynamics. We understand what that means for our roster both short-term and long-term.”
All while New York baseball fans dream of slotting Soto into their team’s respective lineups.
