Padres Rumors: Insider Thinks Juan Soto Could be Traded This Offseason

If this is it, that'd be a REAL shame.

Stumbling to another ineffective year in the standings, many questions have begun to arise about the Padres and their future chances to win it all. 

With a long players-only meeting signaling some friction within the team's chemistry, at least one writer thinks the Friars should blow it up starting with their superstar outfielder to replenish the farm after going all in for his services. 

It's even tougher to find a good trade candidate from the Padres than it is from the Dodgers, as they have seven guys signed through at least 2027 (AKA not going anywhere), eight players hitting unrestricted free agency and four others with player/club/mutual options that could lead to free agency. They certainly don't want to trade Soto, but if they're unable to work out a long-term deal with him this offseason, it might be in their best interest to try to restock their starting rotation/farm system by trading him away.

via Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report

With just one year of team control remaining, the Padres acquired Soto at last year's deadline for quite the hefty price, but intention to sign the outfielder to a long extension after the slugger rejected one from the Nationals. 

D.C shipped him out for a prospect haul the likes of which the league has never seen including shortstop C.J Abrams and starting pitcher Mackenzie Gore from San Diego's farm. 

GM A.J Preller's strategy to buy big has always been apparent, but a bloated payroll with such poor results on the field surely means that such a mentality is on the hot seat. 

The Friars sit fourth in the NL West and their Wild Card hopes seem even more bleak with recent series losses to the Mariners and the Dodgers with few margins for error remaining. 

Should Soto be dealt away, it may sting for Padre fans in the present, but might be the best choice for the team in the long run.