MLB Rumors: A Padres Offer That Could Land Juan Soto

AJ Preller has never been one to back down from making bold moves. The San Diego Padres' GM does not want to see a repeat of last season's collapse in the second half that dropped them out of playoff contention. Adding Juan Soto would be a huge boon, for both this year and future seasons. 

The Padres do have a lot of elite prospects to offer, and could certainly put together a deal to entice the Washington Nationals to trade their 23-year-old superstar. 

In fact, the team is thought to be a frontrunner in the Soto Sweepstakes. 

From Dennis Lin: "Many around the industry believe San Diego will emerge as the most aggressive suitor" for Juan Soto. “You don’t get a chance to acquire Ted Williams very often,” one Padres official told Lin. pic.twitter.com/qhZ7Rinl3u

— Talking Friars (@TalkingFriars) July 23, 2022

“You don’t get a chance to acquire Ted Williams very often,” said one Padres official.

 A Padres offer for Soto would have to include top young pitching prospect MacKenzie Gore, who's now had a good taste of the majors. While he came out of the gates strong, he's fallen back of late, but he's still considered one of the best young arms in the game. 

Then they could add in prized prospects C.J. Abrams, and Robert Hassell III. Abrams has also been on the big club for a while this season, playing 43 games. And while he's mostly struggled, he's already got a head start on what's needed in the majors. 

Hassell is now the Padres' No. 1 prospect, taking over where Gore and Abrams left off. The 20-year-old outfielder is currently batting .313 at High-A, and is projected to be ready for the Show as early as sometime later next season.

Toss in another pitching prospect, and the Padres could have Soto to pair up with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado to make at least three playoff runs before Soto becomes a free agent after 2024. 

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