MLB Expert Urges Padres to Remember Juan Soto's Age in Extension Talks

Will the Padres be able to afford the lefty slugger?

Your San Diego Padres have so many superstars this season and are primed to make a deep run in the postseason. With so many superstars comes big money that needs to be spent to make them happy. They spent money on Xander; it's working so far. Manny Machado will be in San Diego for life thanks to another big contract, and Fernando Tatis is signed till 2035 worth $340 million throughout 14 years. That's not even counting the pitching staff of the Friars.

A lot of money is going around in Southern California, but could they be running out of it when Juan Soto hits the market? The Padres traded for the lefty slugger last summer in hopes of a championship, and luckily for them, he'll be a Padre till at least 2025. San Diego would love to retain Soto throughout the rest of his career, but will they be able to afford him? 

They've spent some big money already, and MLB insider Jon Heyman believes it could be challenging for them to sign Soto long-term. 

Will Juan Soto be added to the Padres' list of stars under long-term contracts? 💰#MLBCentral | @JonHeyman pic.twitter.com/HGefY262cN

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 10, 2023

According to Sportstarc, the Padres payroll between the active, injured, and reserve/suspended money is around $245.79 million. That ranks third behind the New York Mets and Yankees. 

The Padres have been big hunting for some time now, and even though it hasn't translated to a ring, they're awfully close to it. If the Padres can keep Soto long-term, think about all the success they'll have for years to come. At least they'll have a core four of Boagerts, Manny, Fernando, and Soto for the next ten seasons. 

The way things are constructed, the Padres won't be able to retain Soto because of the amount they're paying their other superstars. Never say never; Padres general manager AJ Preller and brass have proven nothing is out of their reach. It will be huge for Frair fans if they can keep the 24-year-old superstar. Time will only tell.