Padres News: AJ Preller Likes the Way Juan Soto 'Settled In' With Friars

Hopefully, he can remain with them long-term!

Star outfielder Juan Soto was one of the biggest contributors to the San Diego Padres this season, and he looked much more comfortable with his new team in a full season. After coming to the Padres during the trade deadline a season ago, Soto struggled at times to get accustomed to his new surroundings. 

This year he seemed to put things together, even with the team struggling themselves. Now as he enters the offseason, it remains to be seen if he will stay with San Diego. He has one year left on his contract, and there has been a lot of talk about the possibility of San Diego moving him this winter.

President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller gave his thoughts on the year Soto had, and how he was impressed with his star player fitting in.

“He obviously really settled in here this year in Year 2 at Petco,” Preller said. “He’s a dynamic offensive force. The ability to get on base and do damage is, if not one of the best, maybe the best in all of baseball."

Per AJ Preller via The SD Union-Tribune

Soto finished the season hitting .275 with 35 home runs and 109 runs batted in. He was easily the most productive member of the Padres and showed that he is still a feared hitter around the game.

There has also been talk that the Padres will try to offer him an extension, but Soto would likely be better off waiting until free agency to take any deal. He could get more on the open market rather than the Padres only bidding with themselves.

Preller knows that it will be difficult to get Soto to agree to anything right now, especially because his agent is Scott Boras and Boras clients typically don’t sign early. But it remains an option, and Preller gave an update about the situation.

"We’ll go down that path this offseason and talk to Juan and his representatives, kind of see where things stand there.”

Per AJ Preller via The SD Union-Tribune

No matter what happens with Soto this offseason, the Padres have a ton of work to do. They need to get this entire roster into shape and build out a more well-rounded team to help get them back into contention next season.