Padres Rumors: Insider Lays Out Potential Framework for Juan Soto Trade

Could Soto be on the move this winter?

After the season that the San Diego Padres just put together, you can bet that there will be changes within the organization. While it remains to be seen what those changes are, pretty much everything is on the table for the Friars this winter.

This includes the possibility of them trading away star outfielder Juan Soto if the right deal presents itself. Soto is scheduled to be a free agent after next season, and there has been plenty of talk about the team not wanting to pay him the extraordinary amount that he will go for on the open market. 

So, it could make sense to trade Soto this winter and replenish the prospects in their farm system.

“There’s been suggestion the Padres may scale back after failing to make the playoffs with the third highest payroll. And some believe Juan Soto, who’s a year from free agency, could be up for trade discussion.”

Per Jon Heyman of The NY Post

Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported on this and gave some level of idea of what a trade could look like if San Diego moves on from him.

“One exec suggests: It should be patterned after the Mookie Betts deal, a superstar with a year to go (though hopefully would turn out fairer).”

Per Jon Heyman of The NY Post

When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Betts, they sent out a few prospects in the deal for him. With only one year left on the contract, it could lessen the return for the Padres unless Soto agreed to sign a new contract extension with whatever team traded for him.

They aren't likely going to get a similar return for Soto as they paid for his services, but San Diego could get something if they know they won't be resigning him. Especially, after the underwhelming season that the team put together this year, trading Soto could be a good idea.

The Padres went all-in this season, and it backfired on them. Their best course of action could be to create a more balanced team, that has depth across the board. This offseason will tell us a lot about where the Padres organization is heading, and it could all start with a potential Soto trade.