Major League Baseball’s brightest young star is heading to the National League West.
The San Diego Padres traded a prospect haul for Juan Soto, 23, beating out the Dodgers and Cardinals. Now Soto teams up with Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado on the West Coast.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, San Diego traded six players — a combination of young promising big-leaguers and prospects — for Soto and first baseman Josh Bell.
Washington made Soto available because their rebuild didn’t go as planned, and they could recoup maximum value for their former franchise cornerstone who is under club control through 2024.
One night before being traded, Soto homered off Max Scherzer in his last game as a National. It was his 119th career home run, passing Ted Williams for 11th-most of any player before turning 24.
Over five seasons, Soto has a career .427 on-base percentage and .966 OPS — a once-in-a-generation mix of plate discipline and power.
The Padres currently hold the second wild card spot in the NL with a 58-46 record. They also added star closer Josh Hader from the Brewers before the deadline.
The Giants and Padres are set to meet nine more times this season, with the most immediate matchup coming Aug. 8 in San Diego.
San Francisco was reportedly interested on Soto — who wouldn’t be? — but its mix of big-league ready talent and tantalizing prospects likely didn’t meet SD’s asking price. Heliot Ramos, Luis Matos, Patrick Bailey, Will Bednar and Hunter Bishop have each struggled this year, hurting SF’s ability to build a prospect-heavy package.
The influx of superstar talent into the division likely hurts the Giants’ postseason chances, both in 2022 and for the next couple seasons. But moving Soto could open the trade market for Carlos Rodón, if the Giants decide to go that direction.
After Monday’s night’s loss to the Dodgers, the Giants have a 16.8% chance at making the playoffs. They trail the third wild card team by 4.5 games and now have a Juan Soto-sized barrier in their way in the division.
