The hot stove cooled down, and now the temperature is about to get scalding.
The MLB winter meetings are on the horizon, and while all the buzz will be about a certain free agent pitcher/hitter by the name of Shohei Ohtani, there’s also a lot of chatter and rumors about the San Diego Padres unloading Juan Soto.
Weirdly, the Padres dealt for him just a year and a half ago. But it’s possible they may not want to pay him what he deserves in a huge new contract that’s looming, despite the fact that he had a great year last season.
Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, there are a few teams seriously in the running. Let’s rank them based on who should make the deal:
7
New York Mets
Passan says: “The Red Sox and Mets both are in enough of a prospect-hoarding phase to hesitate pushing in for a player not signed beyond 2024. They’re also two pitching weak major league teams and farm systems. But if the will is there, the inclusion of a third team in a potential deal could remedy the pitching issue.”
I don’t think it makes sense for the Mets, especially if it’s pitchers the Padres are seeking, but also: They just brought in a bunch of minor league talent last year to shore up the farm system. I don’t think they’re turning around and trading for another win-now scenario … yet.
6
Baltimore Orioles
Passan says: “While it would be unlike the Baltimore Orioles to consider such a deal, the best farm system in baseball, though hitting-heavy, has the talent to do it.”
That’s true, but here’s why I’m making the call for the O’s to hold off: They’re building something really special in Baltimore, and even though you’d bring in the kind of star hitter who could turn the emerging also-rans into contenders, I’d rather see the Orioles deal for pitching or stay put with all those amazing prospects until the absolute right deal comes along.
Preaching patience to a fan base that’s had to wait this long is tough, but it’s necessary.
5
Boston Red Sox
Passan says: [See Mets entry above]
Like some of these other teams, do the Red Sox really want to shove all-in right now by trading for Soto? And then have to sign him to a long-term deal, which isn’t something Boston has always done?
4
San Francisco Giants
Passan says: “The Giants, who have sought a foundational star for more than a year, have roadblocks as an in-division team but enough motivation to overcome them.”
Heck yeah! Why not? The Giants are a team always seemingly on the cusp of contention. Taking a step forward, especially with their pitching, could be huge (if the Padres would be willing to deal within the NL West).
3
Chicago Cubs
Passan says: “The Cubs check three important boxes: need, talent and money.”
It makes so much sense, especially if they miss out on Ohtani.
2
Philadelphia Phillies
Passan says: “Other possibilities include the Philadelphia Phillies, who don’t necessarily have the need but certainly the talent and money.”
I just want this for the vibes, really. Of course the Phils don’t NEED Soto, but man it’d be cool to add another star bat to this lineup.
1
New York Yankees
Passan says: “The most obvious destination is the New York Yankees, who are seeking bats to spark an offense that ranked 25th in runs scored in MLB this season. The Yankees have the major league-ready pitching the Padres desire and a farm system deep enough to whet San Diego’s appetite for a deal.”
I mean, it makes too much sense. That bat, in that lineup, in that ballpark, with a team ready to pay him, too.
