MLB Trade Grades: Who won the Padres-Nationals Juan Soto deal?

The Washington Nationals have traded outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres. Who has won the trade? 

The Washington Nationals have sent All-Star outfielder Juan Soto and former All-Star first baseman Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres for five players, according to multiple reports.

Here’s what the deal looks like:

But here are the trade grades.

MLB Trade Grades: Padres – A

The Padres pulled off a great trade. They were able to get the best hitter in baseball AND a player that should have been an All-Star this year at first base. San Diego was able to upgrade at two offensive positions AND, in the grand scheme of things, not give up a ton for them.

They were also able to unload Hosmer, who is owed $39 million for the next three seasons. Unloading a bad contract and being able to Soto and Bell is huge.

Furthermore, the Padres were able to get closer Josh Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday and NOT trade any of their top prospects. It is a great deal for the Padres and they are showing that they really want to win the World Series this year and for the next two years.

MLB Trade Grades: Nationals – C+

The Padres did not get a light return by any stretch. MacKenzie Gore immediately slots into their starting rotation and he is a former top-10 prospect through MLB Pipeline. Hassell and Wood are both in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 right now (No. 21 and No. 88). Abrams was MLB’s #9 prospect entering the season. Susana was just signed by the Padres in January on the international market so he is a very young prospect and he was the Padres #14 prospect.

That return would get an A or an A- … if it was just for Soto. However, taking on Hosmer’s contract and trading Josh Bell knocks down the trade a lot. The Nationals would have been able to get more had they traded Soto and Bell separately.

But they still made a great deal. The Padres are the clear winners, though.