MLB Rumors: Javy Baez injury, Braves nightmare, Juan Soto buzz

By Mark Powell | Apr 26, 2023

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Javier Baez #28 of the Detroit Tigers reacts to getting called out on a double play after forgetting to tag up against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on April 13, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 15: Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a RBI single during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game four of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 15, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Padres could move on from Juan Soto

The San Diego Padres are in on the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. The only downside to that is Ohtani costs a ton of money, and there’s no way they can afford this current roster makeup alongside Shohei.

Yes, the Pads and A.J. Preller may throw around huge dollar figures — as they did with Aaron Judge last offseason — but at some point they’ll have to pay the bills. If it comes down to choosing between Ohtani and, say, Juan Soto, the choice is an obvious one.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale entertained this notion in his recent column:

“The Padres plan to be in heavy pursuit for free agent Shohei Ohtani, and if they land him, Soto could be the one traded, realizing they likely wouldn’t be able to meet his contract demands after already rejecting $440 million from the Nationals.”

Soto has already turned down a huge contract offer. Ohtani will in all likelihood cost nearly $500 million, if not more. There’s little chance any team, let alone San Diego, can afford two $500 million men. It helps that Soto is having a rough start to the season, as well, which could play a role in how important he actually is to the Padres moving forward.

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