Published by: Bear Acuda
The Bronx Bombers have long been captivated by the idea of adding megastar Juan Soto to their lineup, envisioning the high-caliber slugger playing in front of adoring fans at Yankee Stadium.
This dream is now set to become a reality.
MLB media outlets are reporting the San Diego Padres have traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees in a seven-player deal that is the biggest trade, so far, this offseason (Ohtani is still shopping, so stay tuned). The trade will see the 25-year-old Soto, along with outfielder Trent Grisham, will now don the historic Yankees’ pinstripes in exchange for five players from the Yankees’ roster.
The details of the trade are as follows:
- Yankees acquire: OF Juan Soto, OF Trent Grisham
- Padres receive: RHP Michael King, RHP Jhony Brito, RHP prospect Drew Thorpe, RHP prospect Randy Vásquez, catcher Kyle Higashioka
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has lauded Soto as an exceptional offensive talent, noting his base-reaching and power-hitting abilities. Soto’s impressive performance in the 2023 season included a .275/.410/.519 batting average in 162 games, with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs.
A three-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger award winner, Soto led the majors with 132 walks and was sixth in the National League MVP ranking. Yankees GM Brian Cashman pursued Soto vigorously, a sentiment echoed by Padres GM A.J. Preller, who acknowledged the Yankees’ clear interest in Soto.
Soto’s career, spanning six years with the Nationals and Padres, boasts a .284/.421/.524 batting average, with 160 home runs and 483 RBIs in 779 games. Considered a “transformational bat” by Cashman, Soto is entering his final year of contract before free agency, prompting the trade.
Despite a substantial contract offer from the Nationals in July 2022, Soto declined. As a result, Soto and shark sports agent Scott Boras were able to negotiate a move (and lucrative contract) to the Bronx. Boras typically encourages players to explore the open market, especially the young ones with oodles of talent.
The Yankees’ acquisition of Soto, along with their trade for Alex Verdugo, projects a formidable outfield lineup. Verdugo could play left field, Aaron Judge center field, and Soto right field, with Grisham serving as a fourth outfielder. Soto, having played only seven games at Yankee Stadium, has already shown remarkable performance there.
Soto’s trade to the Yankees marks an unprecedented stat in modern baseball history. Only six position players before the age of 25 with a career WAR of 20 have played for three different ball clubs.
Soto raises comparisons to legendary hitterTed Williams. He’s a career .284/.421/.524 hitter with a 157 OPS+, the fifth-highest for any player with 24-years of age and 3,000 plate appearances. “Who else is on that list?” Only Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx, Ty Cobb and Mickey Mantle – the other is Mike Trout, a for-sure first-ballot HOFer when he hangs up his cleats.
So, if you’re friends with any Yankees fans, prepare for their pitch on hoisting the trophy in 2024.
I’ve got my opinion on this, but how about yours:
Will Soto be the missing piece to a Yankees’ Championship?
Comment section below, or find us on:
Twitter: @BearAcudaBBN
YouTube: @BleacherBrothersOfficial
Instagram: @bleacherbrothers
