The San Diego Padres have confused rivals with their approach ahead of next week’s MLB trade deadline. Up until recently, the Friars have been holding out hope that they can get into the playoff race and were looking to buy. It has led to the likes of star outfielder Juan Soto being unavailable in trade talks.
Until now. Accordng to Jon Heyman of the NY Post, San Diego is at least willing to listen to offers for Soto as well as pitchers Blake Snell and Josh Hader — the latter of two of whom are slated to become free agents this winter.
“Sources say that though the Padres still hope to buy, they are now listening on Juan Soto plus star starter Blake Snell and star closer Josh Hader in case things go further south,” report on San Diego Padres trade deadline plans.
Heyman did note that a trade of Soto remains unlikely. He’s not a free agent until after the 2024 season, meaning that there is no sense of urgency here.
San Diego entered Thursday’s action with a 49-54 record despite boating a plus-51 run differential. It is currently 6.5 games out of the final wild card spot in the National League with three teams to jump after earning a spot in the National League Championship Series last season.
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San Diego Padres trade deadline plans will come into focus
Moving off both Snell and Hader seems to make the most sense given their statuses as pending free agents. Of course, there is a chance San Diego could believe it has the ability to re-sign each one on the open market.
Soto, 24, is a different monster. San Diego acquired him in one of the biggest in-season trades in recent memory last year. He’s still viewed as a franchise cornerstone and is in the midst of another darn good season (20 homers, 62 RBI, .918 OPS).
At issue here is the presence of super-agent Scott Boras representing Soto. It’s not yet known just how much of a realistic shot San Diego has in signing him to a long-term deal before the former NL MVP runner-up hits free agency after the 2024 season.
“The Padres may reasonably believe there’s little hope of extending Soto, and many believe he wouldn’t mind returning to the East Coast, anyway. But a trade in winter or at next year’s deadline still seems more likely,” Heyman noted.
San Diego is set to open a series against the first-place Texas Rangers on Friday. It then opens a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, one day before the MLB trade deadline.
