Who Should The New York Yankees Move in a Trade for Juan Soto?

Who should the New York Yankees move in a trade for Juan Soto?

​As the MLB offseason gets into full swing, the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres have been in discussions over superstar Juan Soto.

With the rumor mill heating up in this area, it’s time to look at some potential names that could be thrown into the deal.

​Soto has been a superstar since he arrived on the scene as a Washington National in 2018. He finished second for NL Rookie of the Year and followed that campaign up with three consecutive seasons where he finished in the top 10 in MVP voting. He also collected a Silver Slugger and All-Star selection in two out of the next four seasons, establishing himself as a perennial superstar in baseball. There is no doubt that his mixture of contact, power and fielding would help change the identity of this Yankee squad.

​While Soto continued to open eyes, the Nationals continued to struggle and the two began work on finding a trade for him, so that he could compete for a World Series. Eventually, Soto landed in San Diego to team up with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. In exchange, the Nats' took back a massive package with a plethora of top prospects and MLB talent.

​However, the Padres are coming off a down season and have financial issues, which is why they are looking to slash payroll. And with Tatis and Machado demanding a large portion of the salary cap, there is likely very little room to sign Soto and build a championship roster around the three of them.

While Soto is entering the final year of his deal, he is still one of the best players in the game, which is why the trade package for the star outfielder should still be pricey. The Yankees certainly have the assets to make a deal work, but have to be careful not to give up players, who could also contribute to a successful campaign next year.

​There is likely going to have to be a mix of starting-level talent and promising young prospects to get the deal done for the three-time All-Star. 

Two names that have been thrown out in the form of MLB ready players are pitchers Michael King and Clarke Schmidt.

​King has been an excellent reliever for New York since arriving and even started nine games for the bombers last season, finishing with a 2.75 ERA in 104 innings pitched, second to Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole on the team in ERA. Schmidt was New York’s most consistent starter behind Cole last season, finishing 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA in 159 innings pitched. It is highly likely that New York would have to say goodbye to one or both of these pitchers when it comes to bringing in a player like Soto.

​In regards to bats, Gleyber Torres’ status with the team will be worth monitoring as his contract will be expiring after the season. The bombers have depth in the infield and, while Torres was the most consistent contact hitter for New York last year, it may be worthwhile to ship him and one of the pitchers in hopes that less assets will be required outside of the two of them.

​It will also likely require one or two of the Yankees’ top organizational prospects, with Drew Thorpe, the organization's top pitching prospect, being thrown around as a likely candidate to be included. Thorpe opened a lot of eyes this year with a Pitching Prospect of the Year award in 2022-23 and has potential to be an ace in the league should he continue on this trajectory. Moving Thorpe could be a move that the Yankees ultimately look back on and kick themselves, but when a player like Juan Soto is on the block, large sacrifices need to be made.

​Jasson Dominguez is another name being thrown around, but it is likely, after an incredible start this past year to his major league campaign, that New York would consider him untouchable.

​If the package were something like Torres, Schmidt and Thorpe for Soto along with a few other fluff pieces and assets that make the money work, there is no doubt that New York would be improving as a result. But a replacement in the rotation/bullpen and a potential star-level replacement at second base would have to occur for the Yankees to ultimately grow. The good news is New York appears to be heavily pursuing a number of free agents this offseason to help bolster the roster that would surround the likes of Soto, Cole, Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe, but only time will tell if GM Brian Cashman can get this deal done.