Yankees Slugger Floated As Possible Trade Candidate For Superstar Juan Soto

The Yankees could end up trading one of its sluggers this offseason in a blockbuster deal

The New York Yankees continue to be mentioned as a possible fit for one of baseball's best players.

The San Diego Padres are in a tough spot. San Diego -- like New York -- had a very underwhelming 2023 campaign and now is at a crossroads. The Padres have plenty of star power on the roster but reportedly need to cut $50 million in salary. This has led to plenty of speculation that Padres superstar Juan Soto will be traded this offseason.

New York has been linked to Soto on numerous occasions over the last few weeks. The Yankees need to improve their offense this offseason and could use another left-handed bat in the lineup. Plus, the Yankees need help in the outfield. If the Yankees were to trade for Soto, one player who could be involved in the trade is slugger Giancarlo Stanton, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

"But the return also is about San Diego’s level of desperation," Sherman said. "There is some reporting that the Padres might have to cut as much as $50 million from the 2024 payroll. So could a team lower the return it would have to surrender if it were willing to, say, take on the seven years at $80 million owed Jake Cronenworth or even chip away some by absorbing the one year at $5 million due Matt Carpenter? 

"I assume even though he is from Southern California that Stanton (owed four years at $98 million) would not waive his no-trade clause (though he has 12 career homers in 81 at-bats — postseason included — at Petco Park) nor would Yu Darvish (five years at $78 million left). But taking on Stanton plus Yankees prospects for Soto, Cronenworth, and Darvish would save San Diego more than $90 million overall."

Stanton has been in the news lately after general manager Brian Cashman bashed him in the media. The five-time All-Star had a disastrous 2023 season but is just 34 years old so hopefully, he can bounce back next year. He likely will still be playing for the Yankees in 2024, but at this point, who knows?