A blockbuster trade is in the works in MLB: Juan Soto (and Josh Bell) will play for the San Diego Padres, but there are still some details to sort out.
The original deal had the Padres acquiring Soto and Bell from the Nationals for Eric Hosmer, MacKenzie Gore, C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jarlin Susana.
There is a problem, though: Hosmer has a no-trade clause and doesn’t want to go to Washington, a rebuilding team that is at least three years away from contention.
While the deal is expected to go through with or without Hosmer (in which case the Padres will have to offer another major leaguer to Washington), he could be open to going to another team.
“One scenario under discussion between #Padres and Eric Hosmer’s reps: Hosmer may request that he end up with a team other than the #Nats as part of a 3-team deal. The situation remains fluid,” Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported.
One scenario under discussion between #Padres and Eric Hosmer's reps:
Hosmer may request that he end up with a team other than the #Nats as part of a 3-team deal. The situation remains fluid. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 2, 2022
Hosmer Probably Wants To Win
Hosmer will turn 33 later this year: when his current deal finishes, he will be 36 and his career could be nearing its end.
He would like to play for a contender, and he knows that going to Washington eliminates that possibility for the remainder of his deal.
He is slashing .272/.336/.391 with just eight home runs, and that’s why the Padres are looking to replace him with Bell.
We shall find out the details of the deal (and whether or not it includes Hosmer) within the next couple of hours, as the deadline is today.
The Padres are on the verge of completing one of the biggest trades ever in MLB, but it depends on what Hosmer decides to do.
NEXT: The Entire MLB World Is Staring At Eric Hosmer