The San Diego Padres are increasingly likely to trade slugger Juan Soto this offseason. This comes just over a year after they acquired him from the Washington Nationals.
One team that is expected to be in on him this offseason is the New York Yankees. New York missed the postseason for the first time since 2016, finishing with a record of 82-80.
One thing in particular that the Yankees need is a left-handed power bat, and Soto would provide that if they are to make a trade with the Padres for him.
Here are three trade packages that make sense for the Yankees if they look to add Soto.
1. Juan Soto for Clayton Beeter, Clarke Schmidt, and Oswaldo Cabrera
Of course, it's going to take a massive haul for the Yankees to land Soto, even with him approaching free agency in a year.
This means that it will likely take somebody like top pitching prospect Clayton Beeter. He and Clarke Schmidt would give the Padres two rotation arms to replace Michael Wacha and Blake Snell, both of whom are free agents, while Cabrera would give them a solid left-handed bat and a piece for the future.
The Padres would be acquiring a ton of upside with players that are Major League-ready, or close to reaching that point in the case of Beeter.
The Yankees are essentially overstocked when it comes to right-handed bats in their lineup and could use a lefty power bat to balance things out and complement Anthony Rizzo.
With stars such as Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, and Rizzo in their lineup, Soto would make New York's lineup one of the most fearsome in all of Major League Baseball and give them a chance to compete for an AL East title.
2. Juan Soto for Jasson Dominguez and Michael King
Yankees fans may not want to hear it, but a trade for Soto might even require the team to give up somebody like top prospect Jasson Dominguez.
Dominguez reached the Major Leagues late in the regular season and was off to a very good start before injuries cut his season short.
The 20-year-old possesses power from both sides of the plate and could be an ideal replacement for Soto if the Padres do ultimately move on from him. Plus, they would still have Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Jr.
We've already discussed what Soto would bring to the Yankees. But a trade such as this one would give the Padres controllable Major League-ready talent that could keep them relevant.
With Josh Hader a free agent, King would be a valuable piece in their bullpen. He could be used as a swingman, middle reliever, or a setup option.
This could be a very well-balanced trade that benefits both the Yankees and the Padres. New York would also have the financial resources to pull off a long-term extension for Soto before he hits free agency. He'd have a solid chance at playing for a winner too.
3. Juan Soto and Ha-Seong Kim for Nestor Cortes, Austin Wells, and Oswald Peraza
This might be the most outlandish proposal of them all. However, it could end up being very well-balanced.
For the Padres, it could add some insurance at the catcher position. Austin Nola is a free agent, but in case Luis Campusano doesn't pan out, Wells could be a solid backup.
Cortes would give San Diego a front-of-the-rotation starter if they are unable to re-sign Blake Snell. Granted, they don't have any holes right now in their infield, but if the Yankees demand someone like Ha-Seong Kim along with Soto, they could send Oswald Peraza the Padres way.
As for the Yankees, their lineup would obviously grow even stronger. They would be adding two very dangerous hitters while also making a play to contend for a World Series crown in 2024. It would almost give them a fresh look as they try to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season.
This is another deal that could benefit both sides in the long run. The Winter Meetings are fast approaching, so fans should expect Soto to be dealt somewhere else between now and the end of the meetings.