The Padres are considering a major shakeup during the 2023 offseason, and one name that has surfaced in trade talks is star player Juan Soto. MLB insider Buster Olney has added fuel to the speculation, confidently stating that there’s a 100% chance Soto will be traded to a new team before the upcoming season’s Opening Day on March 8, 2024.
This revelation comes amid ongoing uncertainty about Soto’s future in San Diego, just a year after the high-profile trade that brought him to the Padres from the Nationals in August 2022. Soto, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, signed a one-year contract worth $23 million in January 2023 to avoid salary arbitration. With his contract potentially increasing to $33 million in 2024, the Padres are exploring options to reduce their payroll, aiming to cut up to 20%.
If the Padres decide to part ways with Soto, the 25-year-old outfielder and 2019 World Series champion would likely attract significant interest from other teams. Soto’s impressive performance in the last season, where he posted a slash line of .275/.410/.519 with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs in 162 games, makes him an appealing target for clubs seeking offensive firepower.