Padres Rumors: East Coast Team Could Be a Destination for Juan Soto, Sooner or Later
The Padres lost to the Blue Jays on Thursday, missing out on the series sweep by getting shut out 4-0. With each loss, the trade rumor mill spins a little faster for the Friars. Media is hungry for AJ Preller to signal a sell off despite San Diego being just 6.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.
It's easy to understand why. The Padres came into the season as heavy favorites to make a deep run in the postseason thanks in part to a stacked roster with stars and key role players.
So, the rumors won't be stopping for the next few weeks and today those rumors once again focus on outfielder Juan Soto.
MLB insider Jon Heyman shared the latest rumblings on Soto, wherein he revealed that the three-time All-Star is a "longshot to be traded" this summer and that Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani was more likely to be traded than Soto.
However, he didn't completely rule out the possibility.
"I would put him at less than 25% chance to be traded. I do think there is a chance -- the Padres may have to look at it and say 'we're going to have to be sellers.' They did push in a lot of their chips in the offseason, give (Padres owner) Peter Seidler credit, they want to win. They've basically sold out for the season which is one of the reasons I think they're going to be very reluctant to become a seller. But, if they go 3 and 7 in the next 10, they're going to have to take a hard look at it. If they do become a seller, they can have a great sale."
Heyman lists off some of the best assets on the roster including free agent to be Josh Hader and Cy Young hopeful Blake Snell, and of course, Juan Soto. In his breakdown, he also shared where he feels Soto could end up in the short or long run.
"Soto's not confiding in me," Heyman said "but, everything I'm hearing around the game is, he wouldn't mind being back on the east coast and that's why I think that Philly ultimately could be a landing spot for Soto."
Of course, the Philadelphia Phillies have a handful of players from the Washington Nationals' 2019 World Series team including Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber as well as hitting coach Kevin Long. And former long time Nat Bryce Harper is also a Phillie for life.
As Heyman alluded to, barring an absolute nightmare scenario over these next 10-12 days, it's hard to see Preller moving anyone in a trade unless a player that can help the roster this season is brought back in return.
So, Juan Soto ain't going anywhere for now.
