The future of San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto is one of the biggest storylines in all of baseball.
Citing potential payroll cuts for San Diego, MLB insider Jim Bowden has identified five teams that could be potential suitors for Soto, shedding light on what they might offer via trade in return.
Bowden emphasized the Padres probable attempts to secure a contract extension with Soto before resorting to a trade.
However, the possibility remains that negotiations could hit a deadlock, leading the Padres to explore trading options for the gifted player, who is represented by renowned agent Scott Boras.
The list of prospective trade partners includes some notable clubs, with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and surprisingly, the Cleveland Guardians, all being considered as potential landing spots for the talented outfielder.
Jim Bowden’s 5 teams to look out for if the Padres deal Juan Soto this offseason
1) Yankees
2) Red Sox
3) Mariners
4) Giants
5) Guardians pic.twitter.com/clNHJ7j5Mi— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) October 17, 2023
“The Yankees would make a lot of sense,” Bowden stated, alluding to the team’s apparent requirement for a left-handed outfielder. He further suggested a potential deal that could involve players such as Michael King, Jhony Brito, Everson Pereira, and Oswald Peraza.
Juan Soto IS that dude. He is Bryce Harper but younger. I say Bryce and not Trout because Bryce has more personality around him. Trout is more cool and collected. Bryce also has postseason experience and tons of success. If he’s available, the Yankees HAVE to be in on him.
— DJ LeMazing (@T12Mikey) October 19, 2023
As for the Boston Red Sox, Bowden highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the team’s managerial position but emphasized the possibility of a trade package involving Alex Verdugo, Tanner Houck, Miguel Bleis, and Luis Perales, illustrating the potential magnitude of the trade.
Would the Red Sox take on part of Xander Bogaerts’ contract to bring Juan Soto to Boston? pic.twitter.com/CYGOQ2VApr
— Name Redacted Podcast (@NameRedactedPod) October 19, 2023
Bowden’s attention then shifted to the Seattle Mariners, a team eagerly vying for a competitive edge.
“A package of Bryce Miller, with either Gabriel Gonzalez or Harry Ford, could make sense,” he stated, indicating the Mariners’ growing ambition to secure top-tier talent, possibly in conjunction with their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani.
Bro!!! Juan Soto is a soon to be Red Sox!!! Make it happen https://t.co/F1kH6gn0MM
— Gustavo Avendano (@GustavoAve89131) October 19, 2023
While acknowledging the difficulty in prying Soto from a division rival, Bowden did not rule out the San Francisco Giants as potential trade partners.
“It could take a package of Kyle Harrison, Walker Martin, and Luis Matos to land Soto,” he suggested, hinting at the Giants’ relentless pursuit of a star player following unsuccessful attempts to acquire Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa in the previous offseason.
Perhaps the most unexpected inclusion in the list, the Cleveland Guardians were not dismissed by Bowden. Stressing the team’s need for a lineup overhaul, he proposed a potential deal involving Shane Bieber and Steven Kwan, potentially signaling a bold move from the Guardians to fortify their roster.
What do you think will end up happening with Soto???