Photos by Mary DeCicco/MLB via Getty Images
Nearly half of MLB is in the mix to acquire Washington Nationals star Juan Soto, but league executives project the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers as the frontrunners, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
In a poll of 17 front-office executives asked to name three favorites to land Soto, eight listed the Padres while seven named the Dodgers. No other team received more than three votes.
However, there was a lot of uncertainty, with 13 organizations named as possibilities. Here are the other teams that received votes:
- New York Mets (three votes)
- New York Yankees (three)
- Saint Louis Cardinals (three)
- Seattle Mariners (three)
- Tampa Bay Rays (three)
- San Francisco Giants (two)
- Boston Red Sox (one)
- Chicago Cubs (one)
- Milwaukee Brewers (one)
- Texas Rangers (one)
- Toronto Blue Jays (one)
“I’d probably list ‘the field’ as a favorite,” said one National League general manager.
Soto cannot become a free agent until after the 2024 season, which expands the pool of candidates. Non-draftees this year can still add the talented player to help in each of the next two seasons.
Even small-market teams that couldn’t afford the right fielder’s next contract can still get value before he becomes a free agent.
Soto reportedly turned down a 15-year, $440 million extension, prompting the Nationals to open trade talks, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
“My guess is it’s going to be the best package of prospects we’ve ever seen in a trade, and rightfully so,” an NL GM told Feinsand. “He’s the best player, at his best, with the most control I can remember ever having.”
The 23-year-old entered Monday with 20 home runs and an .886 OPS in 94 games. Although his batting average is only .245, he has a career .292 mark with a hitter title. He also has two All-Star selections and two Silver Slugger Awards and finished second in National League MVP voting last year.
His addition would be a big boost for any team, but would make the Dodgers especially dangerous, as they already have the best record in the National League at 64-30. With former Nationals teammate Trea Turner alongside established stars like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, LA would build one of the best lineups in the majors as it seeks its second World Series title in three years.
The Padres are still looking for their first championship and have only one playoff appearance since 2006, which came in the shortened 2020 season. They are in position for a wild card spot in 2022, but adding Soto would go a long way to improving the lineup. With Fernando Tatis Jr. also coming off his season debut following a wrist injury, it would be like adding two MVP candidates at the trade deadline.
With Tatis and Manny Machado under contract through at least 2028, it would also create one of the main cores in the majors.