San Diego Padres Go All-In with Massive Juan Soto Deal
Today is Major League Baseball's Trade Deadline and the San Diego Padres just blew up the internet. The team swung arguably the most massive deal in MLB history by acquiring Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell. In return, the Nats originally received Eric Hosmer and four of the Padres best Minor League prospects. However, Hosmer was later replaced with Luke Voit. More on that later.
Padres general manager A.J. Preller has tried for years to get the Padres at the top of the National League West and he has never been able to get past the Los Angeles Dodgers. This trade could change all of that. San Diego begins the day 12 games back of the Dodgers and the Padres are currently the second Wild Card team in the National League. By adding the 23-year-old superstar in Soto and upgrading first base with 29-year-old Josh Bell, the team has solidified their offense as we approach the final two months of the regular season. Fernando Tatis Jr. is almost ready to rejoin the team either later this week or next week. With Tatis, Soto, Bell, and Manny Machado, along with a deep pitching staff, the Padres have the kind of team that is now a legitimate championship contender.
The flip side is that Preller gave up arguably the richest prospect package in baseball history. Gore, Abrams, Hassell, and Wood all have superstar upside, and Jarlin Susana is an 18-year old pitcher who is already throwing 98 miles per hour deep into games. The Nats needed a package for Soto that would allow them to rebuild their team and the Padres delivered the goods. Although Eric Hosmer used his no-trade clause to block his inclusion in the deal, the Padres were able to substitute Luke Voit. Hosmer was traded to Boston later in the day, since the Red Sox were not on his no-trade list.
Do not forget that San Diego also landed All Star closer Josh Hader in a trade with Milwaukee yesterday. It has never been a better time to be a Padres fan or as legendary San Diego announcer Jerry Coleman used to say, "Whoa Doctor!"