The Washington Nationals – San Diego Padres deal for Juan Soto hit a snag, when first baseman Eric Hosmer used his no-trade clause to avoid going to Washington.
However, multiple outlets reported that the deal was going to happen with or without him, and that’s exactly what occurred.
Hosmer was dealt to the Boston Red Sox, and fellow first baseman Luke Voit will be going to the nation’s capital instead of him.
Luke Voit is headed to Washington to finalize the Juan Soto deal, source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2022
Now, we finally have the complete deal: Soto will go to San Diego alongside Josh Bell and the Nats will receive shortstop C.J. Abrams, pitchers MacKenzie Gore and Jarlin Susana, outfielders Robert Hassell III and James Wood, and Voit.
Voit led the league in home runs with 22 in 2020.
All of the remaining five players sent to Washington are considered top prospects.
Soto Is Worth Any Package Of Prospects
Soto, however, is a proven generational talent who has 119 home runs, a batting title, a World Series ring, and several other accolades before turning 24.
He is 23!
Many of the prospects discussed for him are actually older than him.
The Padres will now have him for two seasons, plus what is left of 2022.
That’s three playoff runs before he hits free agency.
With Soto asking for $500 million or somewhere in that neighborhood, he is unlikely to sign an extension.
The Padres, however, will have two-and-a-half years to convince him San Diego is the place for him to stay for the long-term.
This year, he is slashing .246/.408/.485 with 21 home runs in what many consider a “down” season for someone of his standards.
He fortifies the Padres’ World Series odds and will now play with Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Padres made a huge quality leap with Soto now on board.
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