Padres Rumors: Insider Puts Together Trade Package to Send Juan Soto to Division Rival

Could we see Juan Soto play for this team up north?

The offseason brings hope for the upcoming year and trade rumors abound. Per Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Padres could possibly trade superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the NL West San Francisco Giants:

In order to trade him to a division rival, it probably has to start with their best starting pitching prospect, lefty Kyle Harrison, plus shortstop Walker Martin, who was a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, and outfielder Luis Matos. That’s a robust package for one year of Soto, but trading for him now could lead to the Giants signing him long term, which would make the deal well worth it.

Jim Bowden - The Athletic

The speculation that the club is looking to shed payroll ahead of the 2024 season makes it highly unlikely they will sign Soto to a long-term deal. While no one can deny his production, that same production creates a robust trade market for him.

Trades within a division rarely happen. Teams do not like sending players, especially of Soto's caliber, to their direct competition, so any deal done would require sending a nice haul of prospects back to San Diego

Walker Martin and Luis Matos sweeten this deal with their high ceilings, but the key piece is left-hander Kyle Harrison. Across his seven appearances this year, Harrison pitched to a 4.15 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. The organization could use him next year to stabilize a rotation that only has two salaried members.

No trade involving Soto would look pretty for Friars' fans, but it is a reliable way to fill out a roster and rebuild the farm system that was gutted when they acquired Soto.