Juan Soto trade 2.0: What a Cardinals-Padres trade would look like

It’s unclear if the San Diego Padres will sell at the trade deadline, but if they do, expect them to receive some calls about Juan Soto from the Cardinals.

Juan Soto was acquired from the Washington Nationals just last season, but he’s expected to test free agency after next season. With the San Diego Padres struggling to contend for the NL West crown, it makes sense for them to take some offers while Soto has a year left on his deal.

Soto’s value will only go down from here, assuming he doesn’t sign an extension in San Diego. Some pundits project Soto as a designated hitter long term. His defensive ability has declined over the last year or so. However, Soto is a Scott Boras client, meaning he will negotiate like hell for a lucrative long-term deal. Do the Pads really want to be on the hook for that $400 million deal?

Any trade for Soto would have to include some top prospect capital. The Cards reportedly did their due diligence for Soto just last season. As a team preparing for 2024 and beyond, Soto could at the very least help them contend next season. Here’s what a trade may look like.

Would the Padres make this Juan Soto trade?

If A.J. Preller is confident that Soto will be in San Diego long term, then the likelihood of any Soto deal goes down. However, Carlson is signed through 2024. Hence is a top-100 prospect and a potential top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher. Herrera is another top-5 prospect, and the Padres have struggled to find a catcher of late.

Would the Cardinals make this Juan Soto trade?

Parting with Tink Hence is tough. The Cardinals (and myself) are higher on him than MLB Pipeline, but he’s still a top-100 prospect for an organization that struggles to develop pitchers. Herrera is expendable because the Cards signed Willson Contreras, so theoretically they can afford to let him head elsewhere, especially for a player like Soto.