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ESPN’s Buster Olney says three-time All-Star Juan Soto is “one hundred pc” going to be traded by the San Diego Padres this winter.
Soto is presently set to hit unrestricted free company in 2025.
Olney mentioned on The Michael Kay present Friday afternoon that Soto will “completely” be traded previous to the ultimate yr of his club-controlled contract.
The Michael Kay Present @TMKSESPN
“Completely, 100% he will be traded earlier than the season” – @Buster_ESPN on Juan Soto
The Michael Kay Present @TMKSESPN
ICYMI: Will Soto be traded earlier than the season begins? @Buster_ESPN thinks so pic.twitter.com/B9uOpFIU6q
Soto is projected to make $33 million by way of arbitration in 2024, per MLB Trade Rumors.
The Padres have talked with Soto about his subsequent contract however aren’t near agreeing on an extension, based on The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
Soto led the NL with 132 walks final season as he slashed .275/.410/.519 with 35 dwelling runs.
The Padres had an estimated payroll of $255 million in 2023, effectively over the second tax threshold of $233 million. It was a steep value for an 82-80 document.
“All it’s a must to do is take a look at the maths,” Olney mentioned. “If, actually, the Padres are going to get their payroll right down to $200 million, to $220, which might be a large discount, they are going to should make a transfer with Soto.”
Eliminating Soto’s $33 million hit could possibly be crucial to chop prices, particularly given the burden of the all-but immovable contracts on the prime of the Padres’ payroll. Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish are on the payroll for a mixed complete of greater than $78 million in 2024.
“These are huge contracts that simply cannot be moved, so I do assume Soto’s going to be moved,” Olney mentioned. “Individuals in different entrance workplaces completely imagine the Padres are going to commerce Soto.”
Olney added that he noticed Soto as “essentially the most logical goal” for the New York Yankees, a staff which has reportedly beforehand expressed curiosity in Soto.
The Padres have “made it clear” to the remainder of the MLB that they may hearken to presents for Soto this winter, based on Bowden.
Nevertheless, Padres basic supervisor A.J. Preller mentioned final month the staff’s “first path” with Soto could be to conform to an extension, based on MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.
