The San Diego Padres, at 82-80, missed the postseason in 2023 just a year after making the National League Championship Series.
They weren’t that far from the playoffs, though: the last team invited to the party had an 84-78 record.
With a solid offseason and a fresh start, the Padres could advance to the playoffs next year.
However, they could decide to try and trade one of their best players in a shocking, cost-cutting move.
The Padres have implied that they want to shed payroll this offseason, and after the passing of owner Peter Seidler, this is not expected to change.
This could result in San Diego trading Juan Soto.
In fact, according to an MLB insider, it’s a matter of “when” and not “if” he will be moved.
Ken Rosenthal says Juan Soto is definitely on the move pic.twitter.com/mALxxOb84t
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 28, 2023
Ken Rosenthal states that Soto is definitely on the move, via Talkin’ Baseball.
Trading Soto would significantly harm San Diego’s chances of making the postseason in 2024.
Yes, they still have a really talented team, but Soto is the glue that holds the lineup together.
He is the one capable of hitting for average, power, and getting on base at a really high clip.
He hit a career-high 35 homers in 2023 and worked a league-leading 132 walks, too.
Oh, and he played every game.
Still just 25, Soto already has 160 career home runs and is about to make $30+ million in his last season of salary arbitration.
That’s probably why the Padres are considering moving him in a trade: they don’t think they can convince him to sign a long-term extension, and they probably can’t afford him anyway.
NEXT: Juan Soto Holds An Untouchable MLB Record