Padres Rumors: Analysts Debate Whether Friars Should Trade Juan Soto This Offseason

It is unlikely, but the Padres should consider trading Juan Soto.

While it is unlikely that the San Diego Padres will trade Juan Soto this offseason, it would make some serious sense.

The Padres are in the midst of a disappointing season after spending wildly when they gave out long-term contracts to practically everyone. While the Padres made the 2022 postseason, they only had 89 wins. This season, they're on pace to be sitting sitting at home come the postseason.

Over on the MLB Network, Brian Kenny and Mark DeRosa debated whether the team should trade Soto this offseason if the team misses the playoffs. While Kenny was all for trading Soto this offseason, DeRosa thinks the team should wait until next year's trade deadline. Here's the full conversation:

Should the Padres trade Juan Soto if they don't make the Postseason?#MLBNowShowdown | @markdero7 | #MLBNow pic.twitter.com/6UWpTFkQKN

— MLB Now (@MLBNow) August 21, 2023

Like DeRosa points out, Padres general manager A.J. Preller doesn’t prize prospects. He depleted the Padres’ farm system last August to obtain Soto from the Washington Nationals, and likely would do it again if another star became available.

However, at some point, the Padres must replenish their farm system to build a contender for the future. As they've learned, solely buying players to make championships doesn’t work.

Soto is a free agent after the 2024 season. At 24, he has incrdible value. This year, he's hitting .259 with 24 home runs, 76 RBI, and a .881 OPS. However, these numbers, as well as the numbers of San Diego's other stars, have not translated to wins.

Something may need to be done in the offseason if San Diego wants to turn things around next year. And considering almost all of their stars are locked into huge deals, Soto may be the only one able to be moved.

San Diego is unlikely to trade their young superstar this offseason, but they should, at the very least, consider it.