New York Yankees, Padres Have Discussed Trade For This Superstar
After a disappointing 82-80 season in 2023, in which they missed the postseason for the first time since 2016, the New York Yankees will need to add some bats this winter.
Well, this move would solve all of their problems if they were to pair this superstar with Aaron Judge.
According to SNY insider Andy Martino, the Yankees and San Diego Padres have had a preliminary conversation about outfielder Juan Soto.
However, Martino adds that talks have not progressed beyond that initial check-in.
Soto is 25-years-old and entering the final year of his deal in 2024. For that, rival executives have told Martino that they believe he will be available this offseason in the "right deal."
Earlier this month, Padres general manager A.J. Preller told San Diego reporters that the first path would be to extend Soto. But when asked about trading the superstar, Preller said the team never would rule anything out based off the way they operate as an organization.
In the recent past, the Yankees have been reluctant to move top prospects or young talent with multiple years of control, even in a trade for a superstar.
But Soto is set to make $30 million in his final year of arbitration and he is playing on a one-year deal, which will limit his trade market. This means San Diego likely wouldn't get back a significant haul of top prospects.
Back in 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired superstar Mookie Betts, who was entering the final year of his contract, from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. David Price was also sent to Los Angeles so Boston could receive some salary relief.
While it's hard to envision the Yankees trading Anthony Volpe or Jasson Dominguez in a deal for Soto, they do have other options such as Oswald Peraza, Austin Wells and Everson Pereira.
Another rival executive told Martino that the Yankees could possibly include first baseman Anthony Rizzo in a trade for Soto.
Rizzo is entering the final year of his deal, and has a limited no-trade clause. But the teams on this list are unknown.
