Padres Targeting Catcher In Potential Juan Soto Trade With Yankees, Says NY Post Insider

The deal is very close to being completed.

It seems that we are close to the finish line in the Juan Soto trade saga. The San Diego Padres and New York Yankees seem to be very close to making a trade to send the star outfielder to the Bronx.

It has long been thought that Soto would end up in New York, and it feels very possible that'll happen. New York seems to be meeting the asking price for San Diego, opening the door for a deal to take place.

MLB insider Joel Sherman of The New York Post is reporting that in any deal, the Padres are likely to get a catcher back from the Yankees. Young catcher Luis Campusano is expected to be the starter next season for the team no matter who the Padres get back.

"So the Yankee package is expected to be dominated by arms. But the Padres also are likely to get a catcher – or even two – if a deal is consummated. Kyle Higashioka has been a target to be the backup to young Luis Campusano. In addition, someone such as prospect Ben Rice could be of interest."

Per Joel Sherman of The New York Post

If the Padres do get a catcher, especially Kyle Higashioka, it could see them stop their pursuit to bring back veteran Gary Sanchez. This could be another way for San Diego to lessen their payroll, as Higashioka is scheduled to earn a little over $2 million in arbitration this season.

It was reported that Sanchez may go for anywhere between $6-$8 million on the open market. With the team shedding salary, anywhere they can cut costs, will help.

Last season for the Yankees, Higashioka hit .236 with 10 home runs and 34 runs batted in. Compare that to Sanchez, who hit .218 with 19 home runs and 46 runs batted in over 72 games with the Padres.

Sanchez provides more pop from the bat than Higashioka, but either one of them would be a backup to Camusano anyway. It seems that the front office may be valuing the money savings over a potential reunion with Sanchez if this deal does indeed happen.