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 — It’s a done deal.
Almost.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman says the Juan Soto deal is nearly done except for medicals. He also adds that utility outfielder Trent Grisham will be included in the trade.
It still sounds like Michael King and Drew Thorpe are leading candidates to go San Diego. One of the Yankees’ catchers (Kyle Higashioka or Jose Trevino) might also be involved. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi states that Alex Verdugo probably wouldn’t be involved.
That will be music to many Yankees fans ears, as the team looks to retool its outfield after trading away Harrison Bader. Plus, Soto is one of the league’s most accomplished offensive stars, and would immediately become a middle of the order presence for the Yankees. He would seemingly spend most of his time in RF, leaving Judge to man CF, and the newly-acquired Alex Verdugo in LF.
Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, said Wednesday that he has not been informed by the Padres that a deal is on the verge of being finalized, but has no doubts that Soto would thrive with the Yankees.
“The handful of times that Juan has played at Yankee Stadium in his career,’’ Boras said, “Juan has enjoyed the experience. I think anytime you have a 1.200 or 1.300 OPS anywhere, you enjoy it. “He does have a number of ballparks he hits well in, but Yankee Stadium is one of them. If my memory serves me correctly, it would be safe to say that it’s one of his favorite ballparks to hit.”
Soto has played in just seven games at Yankee Stadium in his career, but has a 1.219 OPS, with four homers and nine RBI in 23 at-bats.
For now? Stay tuned.
