Batting Around: Will Padres trade Juan Soto this offseason and which team will acquire him?

Throughout the offseason the CBS Sports MLB mavens will carry you a weekly Batting Around roundtable breaking down beautiful a lot the rest. The newest news, a ancient query, ideas about the long term of baseball, all types of stuff. Last week we debated which MLB team will be the following to win its first ever World Series. This week we are going to take on the most important identify at the trade marketplace.

Will Juan Soto get traded this offseason? If so, the place?

R.J. Anderson: I lean sure. I’ll move with the Yankees because the touchdown spot, however there are a number of different groups who make sense for him. The Yankees want the offensive assist, and Lord is aware of they have got the method to retain him on a long-term foundation. Ideally, the team obtaining Soto would be capable to slot him in at DH faster than later. That will not be the case for the Yankees, however that most certainly is not explanation why sufficient to punt at the alternative. 

Dayn Perry: I’ll say no. GM AJ Preller could also be at the scorching seat, and he is absolutely mindful that buying and selling Soto would considerably injury the Pads’ hopes of getting a rebound season in 2024. Maybe he’s below order to trim payroll, however there are paths to try this with out dealing Soto. The salaries of Blake Snell and Josh Hader, each unfastened brokers, are coming off the books, and Yu Darvish’s wage will drop considerably subsequent season. Add the ones up, and it is already $40 million. 

Matt Snyder: I’m a no. I feel the Padres are going to check out and run it again as absolute best they may be able to, which method preserving Soto for any other yr — or a minimum of till the trade cut-off date, relying upon how smartly they play. It would possibly sound ridiculous to signify they must simply check out it once more, after all, 2023 was once this type of colossal failure. And but, they completed simply two video games out of a playoff spot and the team that was once two video games in entrance of them was once within the World Series. That’s how shut the Padres had been, in spite of such a lot of negatives. Replacing the manufacturing of Blake Snell and Josh Hader, who will definitely signal in other places in unfastened company, will be very tough, however differently there is a large number of issues that will move higher transferring ahead. 

Mike Axisa: I mentioned sure and to the Yankees in my offseason daring predictions, so I more or less have to stay with that, proper? I do suppose Soto will get traded even though — I do know Preller not too long ago mentioned they plan to stay him in 2024, however what is he meant to mention? — most commonly as a result of I do not understand how else the Padres can get payroll all the way down to $200 million whilst fielding a aggressive rotation. They want pitching and would not have a lot cash to spend, and Soto turns out not likely to signal a long-term extension ahead of checking out unfastened company subsequent offseason. Trading him is the most simple manner to save cash and upload reasonable younger skill the rotation. The Yankees are one of the most few groups that may soak up Soto’s $30-plus-million wage thru arbitration, and additionally has higher degree pitching to spare. It suits.