SD Padres Agree To Trade For Nationals Superstar Juan Soto: Report

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Padres have reportedly reached an agreement to trade for superstar outfielder Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals weeks after Soto turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension, which would have been the largest contract in Major League Baseball history.

The trade agreement, first announced by MLB Network, came several hours before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline. Josh Bell, who has been with the Nationals for the past two seasons, primarily at first base, was reportedly also part of the trade.

In return for Soto and Bell, the Nationals reportedly received major-leaguers and prospects from the Padres, including pitcher Mackenzie Gore, shortstop CJ Abrams, outfielder Robert Hassell, outfielder James Wood and pitcher Jarlin Susana.

Eric Hosmer rejected a trade to Washington as part of the Soto deal, according to MLB Network. The Padres have just hours to figure out what to do with him. Hosmer is owed $39 million from 2023-25.

After it became clear that Soto did not want to stay in Washington after news leaked in July that he had rejected the mega-offer, the Nationals started listening to trade offers for the 23-year-old, whose trade value would likely be at its highest this summer.

Soto, an outfielder, burst onto the scene in 2018 when he was called up to the majors in May. In his first at-bat for the Nationals, Soto hit a home run. He went on to hit 22 home runs and knock in 70 RBI in his rookie year. In 2019, he was part of the National's World Series championship team.

The Nationals hoped to build the team around Soto, but with Scott Boras as his agent, the Nationals knew it would be tough to sign him to an extension before his current contract expires after the 2024 season. Boras is well known for advising his clients to test free agency.

In his four-and-half seasons with the Nationals, Soto played in only 565 games due to the shortened season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He leaves the Nationals with a .291 batting average and an amazing .427 on base percentage.