We’re not there yet, with the playoffs in full swing at the moment, but the Juan Soto situation will be one of the most interesting issues to follow during the next off-season.
This is because the star outfielder will become free as the air at the end of the next campaign. The San Diego Padres will therefore have a decision to make in the coming weeks: grant a contract extension to their colt or trade him.
If the California team wants to put Soto under a long-term contract, the bosses will have to be ready to pay him more than the 15-year contract worth $ 440 million that the Washington Nationals offered him last year and which he refused.
Coming off a more than disappointing season and with several lucrative contracts already on their books, we expect this option to be brushed aside. Not to mention that Scott Boras is Soto’s agent…
This brings us to the second avenue, a transaction. Many teams need an impact bat in the middle of their lineup to put them above the rest, and will be willing to trade several prospects and even major league players to get their hands on someone Soto’s temperament.
Among them are, according to The Athletic, the Cleveland Guardians. It’s true that this may seem surprising at first, but the Ohio representatives have already built a solid starting rotation and a relief bullpen that is scary.
What they lack is big hitters, especially in the outfield. In a weaker section, a trade for a player with a status like Soto would significantly improve their chances of winning the division and thus making the playoffs.
In addition to being able to include their ace pitcher Shane Bieber and outfielder Steven Kwan in a possible pact, Cleveland has one of the five best affiliate systems in all of major baseball and could therefore satisfy the Padres at this level.
The Guardians will certainly not be alone in the dance, but could prove to be an excellent partner.
