The Washington Nationals reportedly traded all-star Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday — it’s a blockbuster deal that has sent shockwaves across the MLB.
The Nats previously offered Soto a staggering 15-year $440 million dollar deal in July, but the baseball phenom sent an ice-cold message when he turned down the life-changing money.
A Deadline Day shuffle!
The Padres are reportedly acquiring Juan Soto from the Nationals, per @jonmorosi. pic.twitter.com/f17rTxeA41
— MLB (@MLB) August 2, 2022
Soto has been an absolute tank over the last five years. He’s an all-star, a home-run champion, a player who bats a career average of .291 and a World Series champion, according to Baseball Reference.
Soto is arguably the best baseball player in the world today. With him on board, San Diego is giving themselves the best opportunity they’ve had at winning their first World Series title in the history of the franchise. (RELATED NFL Suspends Deshaun Watson For Six Games Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations)
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Nationals will be receiving left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, outfielder Robert Hassell III, shortstop C.J. Abrams, outfielder James Wood, right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana and one other major league player.
The package going back to Washington for Juan Soto and Josh Bell, sources tell ESPN:
– LHP MacKenzie Gore
– OF Robert Hassell III
– SS C.J. Abrams
– OF James Wood
– RHP Jarlin Susana
– one more major league playerThat’s the only holdup right now to the agreed-upon deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2022
Though the Padres are giving up a lot for Soto, they’ve dramatically upped their chances at winning the championship by adding the future Hall of Fame outfielder.
