Padres Trying To Include Offensively Challenged Outfielder In Juan Soto Trade Talks

The Padres are looking to shed salary all over their roster.

With the San Diego Padres trying to shed salary this winter, they are looking at multiple ways to do so. They already are likely to trade away star outfielder Juan Soto but are also trying to include offensively challenged outfielder Trent Grisham as part of the trade talks with the New York Yankees.

"The Padres, in their discussions with the Yankees, have proposed attaching Trent Grisham to Soto, a source said. Such a deal would allow the Yankees to address their needs in both center field and left field. But Grisham, projected to earn nearly $5 million in arbitration, batted just .198 with a .666 OPS last season."

Per The Athletic

Grisham hasn't been great for the Padres for a few seasons now, and the team would love to get off his extra money owed. He has two years of control left before he hits free agency, so some teams may value the flexibility there.

Maybe a new environment could allow him to play more freely and get back to his old self. Playing in a city like New York may excite Grisham, and it would be a benefit to both sides.

MLB insider Andy Martino confirmed the Padres interest in adding Grisham to the mix as well. It seems that San Diego may try to hold firm on including Grisham in any Soto deal they make this offseason.

I should say King plus as many as six prospects and money for Soto and Grisham. https://t.co/XPw8deJIEm

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) December 1, 2023

If the team can offload Grisham in a Soto trade, it would be very beneficial to their overall payroll cuts. He hasn't been very good for them the last two seasons, and while they like him, they don't have time to waste any longer waiting to see if he can bounce back.

San Diego has a lot to figure out in regards to their salary figures, and the entire Soto trade situation. But we should have more clarity on it all very soon with the winter meetings taking place next week.