Padres Will Trade Juan Soto This Offseason, Says MLB Insider

More speculation on a potential Soto deal this winter...

There have been many different reports about the possibility that the San Diego Padres will trade star outfielder Juan Soto this winter, and all signs point toward it happening at some point. San Diego wants to shed salary this offseason after a failed 2023 season, and they also have a need to replace multiple pitchers in their starting rotation.

A trade of Soto would help things a ton and could net the Padres some quality pieces. He is entering the final year of his contract, and the Padres haven't shown a willingness to retain him long-term.

This has led to many believing that he will indeed be moved this offseason. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic added more fuel to the fire in his most recent column, saying that the Padres will be trading Soto.

“The question is not whether Soto will be traded. The question is which team will acquire him.”

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic

The New York Yankees have been the most linked team in a potential Soto deal, and they seem very motivated to land him. New York wants to make a splash this offseason after they missed the playoffs this past season.

The two teams could be solid trade partners, and each could get what they want. There is a ton of smoke around Soto going to the Yankees, and typically when there is this much smoke, there is fire.

Other teams like the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and more have been mentioned as possible landing spots for the star outfielder, as well. Assuming Soto is on the trade block, there will be no shortage of suitors to land him.

San Diego has work to do this offseason and they will look around the league to find the right deal if they trade Soto. Buckle up, the winter meetings are coming quickly and a trade could come sooner than we think.