Fansided

Cubs: 3 prospects Chicago would have to trade in any Juan Soto deal

By Mark Powell

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on July 17, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on July 17, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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A detail shot of a Chicago Cubs hat.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 20: A detail shot of a Chicago Cubs hat. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)\ /

Juan Soto rumors: Cubs would have to trade Cristian Hernandez

So, you say you want to trade for Juan Soto? Why not trade away the next Alex Rodriguez? Or Manny Machado?

That’s who Hernandez was compared to when the Cubs landed him as an international signing. At just 19 years old, he’s already the No. 2 ranked prospect in their system, which likely says more about Chicago’s farm than anything else.

However, Hernandez has the potential to be a star infielder in the bigs. Right now, the teenager is listed as a shortstop, but that could change before he reaches proper drinking age.

MLB Pipeline perhaps advertises Hernandez best:

"“Hernandez drew repeated physical comparisons to a young Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado as an amateur in the Dominican Republic, and some scouts considered him the best prospect in the 2020 international class. The Cubs signed him for $3 million in January 2021 and believe he has more upside than any international player they’ve landed in at least a decade — including Willson Contreras, Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres.”"

As great as Soto is, that could be a sticking point that prevents a trade for both teams. Chicago will not want to trade Hernandez, but the Nationals may insist. Who will budge first?

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