MLB Rumors: 3 teams desperate enough to meet Padres asking price for Juan Soto

The San Diego Padres and New York Yankees have reportedly shut down trade talks regarding star outfielder Juan Soto. Soto, who would be a valuable add for any team, is in his final year of arbitration, and thus his contract altogether. He's expected to earn over $30 million over the final year of his deal.

While that price tag itself isn't a major ask for wealthy organizations, his long-term asking price is. Soto is expected to ask for at least $400 million in any extension, and reportedly turned down a $440 million contract while with the Washington Nationals. Padres general manager AJ Preller knows that any extension is unlikely, as Soto and agent Scott Boras seem determined to reach free agency, where Boras's client will earn the most money when all is said and done.

Still, acquiring Soto for even one year is worth evaluating for the right price. Heck, it gives that team the first opportunity at pitching Soto on a long-term deal, even if he reaches free agency. However, the Yankees reportedly balked at the Padres asking price for what amounts to one year of Soto, as San Diego wants multiple starting pitchers and prospects.

While it initially looked as though the Yankees were blowing their opportunity, this is a tough ask for any franchise. Not only would the Padres acquire King and Schmidt -- two proven MLB pitchers -- but Thorpe is a top-100 prospect per MLB Pipeline. The Yanks value their farm system.

New York may not be willing to give in to San Diego, but other teams just might.

San Francisco Giants would meet Padres asking price for Juan Soto

The San Francisco Giants thought they signed Aaron Judge, yet they fell just short. They then attempted to sign Carlos Correa, only for the star shortstop to fail his physical. Farhan Zaidi and the Giants are in search of their next star, and while there are several options in free agency, none minus Shohei Ohtani are as talented as Soto.

The Giants are not expected to land Ohtani -- the Dodgers and Cubs are favored in that department. While trading within their own division comes with some risk, San Francisco is certainly desperate enough to make a competitive offer that perhaps lines up with the Padres needs.

San Francisco has proven they are willing to throw money around, and Soto fits the type of player they'd prefer to pay, even if they have to wait a year. However, getting a head start never hurts. An in-division trade is always the least likely option, but don't be surprised if the Giants are at least mentioned as an option in the coming weeks.

Chicago Cubs may be desperate enough to trade for Juan Soto

I'll be the first to admit I could be proven wrong here rather quickly. However, as of this writing, the Dodgers are still favored to land Shohei Ohtani. Unless the Cubs make a convincing pitch to Ohtani -- one that would make him willing to leave the west coast altogether -- the Windy City may not be his final destination.

Chicago could then turn to re-sign Cody Bellinger, but even that isn't a certainty. Bellinger has interest in New York and San Francisco, among other potential suitors. His agent is Scott Boras, so unless the Cubs are willing to increase their offer for a player just a year removed from one of the worst seasons of his career, they will lose him.

This is where Soto comes in. Chicago has the prospect capital to acquire Soto, though trading MLB-ready starting pitching would sting for a team already likely to lose Marcus Stroman this offseason. Yet, this is a franchise that was willing to pay top dollar to make Craig Counsell their manager. Clearly, they believe the World Series window is opening now. Adding Soto, even for just 2024, could put them over the top.

Toronto Blue Jays are the obvious choice for Padres, Juan Soto

The Blue Jays are the only other team known to be discussing a Juan Soto trade with the Padres right now. Since the Yankees have paused trade talks at the moment, it gives the Blue Jays a monumental advantage.

Toronto is under immense pressure to win now. Ross Atkins could be on the hot seat with another postseason failure, and John Schneider will join him as well. The Blue Jays need a fall guy, and there very well might be two if Toronto fails to make an AL Playoff run in 2024.

The Jays need corner outfield help, as well. Daulton Varsho hasn't been the player the Blue Jays thought they were getting just a season ago. As Ken Rosenthal and The Athletic staff noted in a recent column, the Padres asking price from Toronto could be immense:

"From the Blue Jays, the Padres could seek a package including one or more pitchers from a group that includes top prospect Ricky Tiedemann, Bowden Francis and Alek Manoah. The Jays, like other clubs, would be concerned about paying Soto $30 million-plus for one season, then likely losing him as a free agent. But they are under pressure to win."

Manoah is certainly expendable. Both Tiedemann and Francis are valuable young assets that the Blue Jays would rather not part with. However, given the interal and external pressure felt by the franchise, perhaps a one-year rental would help the Jays take the next step.