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MLB Rumors: Diagnosing the Padres’ three options with Juan Soto

By Robert Murray

Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during game two of a double header at Citizens Bank Park on July 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during game two of a double header at Citizens Bank Park on July 15, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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MLB Rumors, Juan Soto, Philadelphia Phillies
Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres looks on from first base in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Padres option No. 3: Keep Juan Soto

This is the most likely scenario.

Preller has shown that he isn’t afraid to have star players entering contract years, evidenced by both Josh Hader and Blake Snell playing on expiring contracts in 2023. And surely he will not be afraid to do the same with Soto, who he had long coveted before acquiring him last season.

The Padres will likely enter the 2024 season with Soto on the roster. If the team is in a strong position for the postseason, they could go all-in for a chance to win a World Series. But if they are in a similar position midseason in 2024 as they were in 2023, then trading Soto becomes a realistic thought.

But all signs point to Soto starting next season in San Diego.

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Next. Juan Soto rumors: 5 monstrous trade packages to land the Padres star. dark

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