Padres News: Hall of Famer Wants to See Juan Soto Traded to the Yankees

Should the Friars look to trade Soto?

Last trade deadline, multiple teams were gunning for former Washington Nationals star outfielder Juan Soto. Soto was a hot commodity as he was still super young and was a feared hitter. He and the Nationals couldn’t come to terms for a new deal and Soto was ultimately dealt out west to join the San Diego Padres. His arrival signaled a new era of Padres baseball as it was a sign that the team was serious about trying to win a World Series.

The Padres reached the NLCS with Soto but fell short. Now halfway through the 2023 season, San Diego sits 6.5 games back of the final National League wild card spot so many are wondering how the Friars will go about the upcoming trade deadline. 

Soto is scheduled to be a free agent after next season so he still has 1.5 years of control on his deal, and many don’t believe that the Padres will pay the extraordinary amount that he will command. So, the thinking is to possibly look to shop the young All-Star.

As of now, the Padres have shown no willingness to deal Soto but another few weeks of bad baseball and that could change. If the team did put Soto on the market, they could get a haul back for him and replenish their farm system. One team in particular makes some sense for Soto and that’s the New York Yankees. 

New York has seen their own issues this year, but pairing Soto with Aaron Judge could be an awesome duo. Even one Yankee legend thinks the team should make a move for Soto if he becomes available.

"If [the Padres] don't have a good next couple of weeks, I wouldn't mind seeing the Yankees go out and get Juan Soto." - @derekjeter 👀 pic.twitter.com/BrMe6jJAwR

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 12, 2023

Jeter is as big of a Yankee fan as anyone after spending his historic career with the franchise. If the Yankees were to grab Soto, it would be a massive move for the team. They would be one of the few teams that could afford to pay the financial demands once Soto becomes a free agent.

The pairing makes sense, and it would give the Yankees another star level player. The iconic franchise could use more, and it would give the team a great chance to possibly win the World Series this season. New York hasn’t won a title since 2009 and while it’s only been 14 years, that is forever in Yankee time. It’s title or bust each and every season for the Bronx Bombers and honestly, Soto would likely fit in nicely.

Only time will tell if we see Soto wearing the famous pinstripes but for now, he’s a member of the Padres. But San Diego would be foolish to not at least check the market to see what exactly they could get if they made him available.