MLB Rumors: Padres predicted to trade Juan Soto after 2023 season

One of the Padres' Big Four may not be coming back next season. Star outfielder Juan Soto has found himself at the center of trade talks since before the August 1 deadline, and with San Diego veering toward not playing playoff baseball this year, Soto could have one foot out the door.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale echoed the latest from his sources, which tell him that several general managers around the league believe Soto will be traded. Soto will reportedly seek at least $500 million in free agency after the 2024 season.

Ever the optimistic franchise, the Padres decided to buy at the trade deadline yet have gone 9-14 since. Currently sitting fourth in the NL West with a 61-69 record, the Padres have seen their brightest stars fade in recent games -- Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis Jr., and even Soto himself have not punched the Padres' ticket to the postseason during this pivotal stretch like their fans thought they would.

Soto recorded his first home run in Saturday's loss against the Brewers since August 4, ending his career-high 19-game drought. Unable to return to his MVP-caliber days from back when he was on the Nats, Soto will nonetheless serve as a valuable trade chip for a Padres team still wondering where it all went wrong this season.

San Diego may need to go 25-7 to eke into the playoffs in 2023, and even then, they're going to need help. Enjoy what could be Soto's final season with the Padres while it lasts.

MLB Rumors: The Phillies surprised everyone before in 2022... Can they do it again?

It's all about catching the wave of momentum at the right time. That's what the Philadelphia Phillies learned from their jaw-dropping World Series run in 2022, when they went from a Wild Card doormat to a championship contender in the span of a few weeks.

Re-entering the World Series conversation felt out of reach for the Phillies early in the 2023 season as they stumbled game after game due to star injuries and mismanaged expectations.

Now entering the end of a 71-win and counting season, the Phillies could be primed to make another surprising dash to the World Series where they're looking for both glory and redemption.

Outfielder Kyle Schwarber said in an interview with The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that last postseason's defeat to the Astros is "definitely still on everyone's minds."

Philly is currently 13.5 games back from the steamrolling Atlanta Braves, and barring a godly blessing, they're not going to make up that much ground in the NL West. However, the team stands tall in the Wild Card race and could be gaining steam at the perfect time.

Many players from last year's unlikely run stayed, including Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Aaron Nola. The Phillies reinforced thin roster areas with slugger Trea Turner and, more recently, pitcher Michael Lorenzen, two players who have been heating up in August.

Compared to easy playoff shoo-ins like the Braves, the Phillies may have more of an underdog mentality when it comes to reaching the World Series, but in many ways, that's the most effectual mentality to have. It tells the world: We're alive, and we're going to compete. Don't sleep on us.

MLB Rumors: Braves prospect AJ Smith-Shawver gets placed on injured list

On Wednesday, Braves top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver was placed on the seven-day minor league injured list, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano.

The 20-year-old Smith-Shawver made history in June for being the youngest Braves starter to throw five innings or more since Steve Avery in 1990, also recording his first win that month.

For some context, Smith-Shawver was born four months after the Braves drafted Charlie Morton in the third round in 2002.

As arguably Atlanta's best farm prospect, Smith-Shawver heading to the IL due to shoulder inflammation throws only a small wrench into the franchise's developmental plans.

The righty had a ballooning 5.40 ERA in July but logged a solid start in his first appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett in August, recording seven strikeouts against the Charlotte Knights.

For the Braves this season, Smith-Shawver has made five appearances and four starts and has a 4.57 ERA. When his number is called, he's managed to hold his own in the majors, and he could turn into a frontline starter for Atlanta in due time.

Braves fans shouldn't be too worried about him making a leap into the MLB and should trust that he'll continue improving his game when healthy.