MLB Rumors: Nolan Arenado trade package, Juan Soto buzz, Braves latest
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Will the Padres trade Juan Soto at the deadline?
The San Diego Padres and A.J. Preller are an eternal conundrum. Every time we feel like we understand their thinking around the MLB trade deadline, they pull a rabbit out of their hat. This season, it would make sense to sell — San Diego is an unlikely playoff team at this juncture. Dealing away pieces like Josh Hader and Blake Snell, for example, should not be out of the question.
Then, there’s Juan Soto.
Soto was acquired this time last year for a massive trade package. Punting on him this early — and with a year left on his contract — would seem an odd heel turn, but who am I to judge? Preller is one of the best general managers in the sport. Jon Heyman reported that Preller is listening on Soto, though nothing is certain:
“A trade of Soto remains unlikely, even more unlikely than deals involving free agents to be Snell and Hader, but everything is being considered for MLB’s unluckiest team (49-54 and 6 ½ out of the wild card despite a plus-51 run differential),” Heyman wrote, per the New York Post.
San Diego is all in. To trade away players like Soto, Hader and more defeats the purpose of their high payroll in the first place. Unless Preller is blown away, I wouldn’t expect a move.