The World Series has not even begun yet, and already the Juan Soto stove has started to simmer. MLB Insider Andy Martino reports that the Yankees and Padres have had early talks about sending the superstar outfielder to New York,
The Yankees have already had one preliminary conversation with the San Diego Padres this offseason about superstar outfielder Juan Soto, league sources say. Talks have not yet progressed beyond that initial check-in.
Out of possible trade partners, the Yankees might be the most interesting of them all.
First, they have the prospect capital required to obtain Soto. Even just a single year of Juan Soto would require a healthy number of prospects sent back to San Diego. As it stands the Yankees currently have five top-100 prospects in their system. Brian Cashman could make a tempting offer with any of those prospects and a few prospects lower in the system.
Martino touched on what the Yanks might need to give up.
It is almost impossible to imagine the Yankees swapping Anthony Volpe or Jasson Dominguez for one year of any player. But the team does have high-end prospects and rookie depth in Austin Wells, Oswald Peraza and Everson Pereira. The Yanks like all of those players, but would obviously have to trade someone of value for Soto. One rival official unaffiliated with the Yankees and Padres also wondered if the Yankees could include a veteran like first baseman Anthony Rizzo in a Soto deal, because the Padres are not rebuilding.
Any team could use the offensive output of Juan Soto, but a lefty power hitter paired with the short porch in the Bronx makes a devastating combination. Last year Anthony Rizzo and Jake Bauers led the team in home runs by a lefty with twelve. The Bronx Bombers noticeably lacked power and the sheer number of batters from the left side of the plate.
Many speculate on how much a team wants to trade within their conference, let alone their division. Sending Juan Soto across the country means the Friars would see him once in the regular season and only in the World Series otherwise.
Lastly, the possibility of getting Anthony Rizzo in this trade should not be overlooked. Over the last couple of years, the Padres have struggled to find quality from the first base position. They tried having Jake Cronenworth at first base last year and his OPS dropped more than 30 points to a .689 on the season. Rizzo would provide stability at the position day in and day out. Prior to a concussion he suffered against the Padres on May 28, Rizzo was slashing .304 / .376 / .880. The veteran first baseman would be an upgrade both offensively and defensively for San Diego.
This marks the beginning of an offseason that will surely bring about more speculation on Juan Soto's future with the Padres.
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