For the second yr in a row, Juan Soto is on the block.
The San Diego Padres are aiming to shed some cash whereas concurrently filling of their rotation that would lose, properly, nearly everybody to free company.
So, understandably, the Padres need quite a bit for the 25-year-old perennial MVP candidate – MLB-ready pitching, some prime prospects and perhaps some extra.
However there’s probably a wrinkle to the Padres’ potential asking worth: Studies have swirled that Soto goes to check free company after the 2024 season.
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Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a house run in opposition to the Tigers at Comerica Park on July 21, 2023, in Detroit. (Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Photos)
Who can blame him? He’ll be one of the sought-out gamers within the historical past of free company, perhaps much more than present free agent Shohei Ohtani, who’s rumored to signal a deal that would exceed not solely $500 million, however $600 million.
Proper now, Soto can solely negotiate a long-term cope with the Padres. If, and really probably when, he will get traded (maybe at this week’s Winter Conferences), he’ll then solely have the ability to negotiate together with his new group.
As a free agent, he is in a position to negotiate with 30.
So, with that in thoughts, some golf equipment are going to function below the impression that they might be buying solely a one-year rental, albeit an elite one.
That is why the Yankees have reportedly had difficulties together with the names of prime prospect Jasson Dominguez and 22-year-old Anthony Volpe, who simply gained a Gold Glove Award as a rookie, in commerce talks. Actually, discussions between the Yanks and Padres reportedly stalled after San Diego requested for pitcher Michael King and as much as six prospects.
Juan Soto of the Padres celebrates a one-run RBI double in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the Nationwide League Championship Collection at PETCO Park on Oct. 19, 2022, in San Diego. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Photos)
In fact, groups just like the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers and Cubs have deep pockets, so that they have a bonus that they could not essentially be buying and selling for a rental.
With that in thoughts, although, that would imply small market golf equipment can fork over his estimated $33 million arbitration wage for only one season. For a group just like the Tampa Bay Rays – which simply gained 99 video games however are nonetheless seeking their first World Collection title and all the time appear to know precisely who to commerce away and who to commerce for – that appears fairly engaging.
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So, for groups that know they are going to solely be getting one season out of Soto, they may both settle for the truth that they will be overpaying for his providers, or maintain sturdy to their presents and hope the Padres chew – the worst that may occur is that they’re in the identical spot they’re already in.
However with groups with fats pockets, realizing they are going to be within the Soto sweepstakes this time subsequent yr, ought to they even trouble providing younger expertise once they do not want to do this subsequent yr?
Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres smiles throughout the Gatorade All-Star Exercise Day at T-Cell Park on July 10, 2023, in Seattle. (Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Photos)
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Make no mistake, Soto’s title goes to be one of the talked about this week and all through the remainder of the offseason. Nearly each insider and exec feels he will likely be moved.
But when he is undoubtedly a one-year rental, which appears to be the consensus, the Padres could must decrease their expectations on what they’ll get again.
Soto had a down 2022, however confirmed his expertise final yr by hitting .275 with 35 homers, 109 RBI, and a .930 OPS. He led the majors in walks final season for the third time in his profession, with 132. In his profession, he owns a .946 OPS, he is the energetic profession chief in on-base proportion (.421), and he has 4 top-nine MVP finishes – he completed sixth this previous season.
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