Padres Yankees close deal Juan Soto

Padres and Yankees nearing massive trade with Juan Soto as centerpiece. Deal could be done as early as Wednesday.

The discussions between the Padres and Yankees regarding a potential trade involving Juan Soto as the main player appear to be reaching a conclusion. These talks have been ongoing for several weeks, dating back to the summer, and have recently resumed with increased intensity. It is anticipated that the deal could be finalized as early as Wednesday, with sources indicating that the negotiations have progressed to a point where a trade is highly likely.

The Padres are anticipated to receive up to five players in exchange for Soto, including starting pitcher Michael King. Reports from New York have suggested that pitcher Drew Thorpe, a top prospect for the Yankees, may also be included in the package going to the Padres.

King, who posted a 2.75 ERA over 104⅔ innings last season, is considered a crucial component of the trade by the Padres. With two seasons of team control remaining, the 28-year-old has been utilized in a hybrid role for the Yankees but is expected to join the Padres' rotation. King's impressive performance at the end of the 2023 season, where he allowed just 10 runs and struck out 48 batters over 38⅓ innings, has further solidified his value.

The Padres entered the offseason with a need to acquire at least three starting pitchers, following the departure of Blake Snell, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha in free agency. Additionally, there was a directive to reduce the team's payroll by $50-60 million from the previous year.

Soto, who is projected to command a salary of approximately $33 million in his final season of arbitration eligibility, was acquired by the Padres at the trade deadline in 2022 and played a significant role in the team's journey to the National League Championship Series that season. He led the Padres with 35 home runs and ranked fifth in the NL with a .929 OPS in 2023.

It is worth noting that the Padres and Yankees previously engaged in discussions about a potential trade for Soto in July, but ultimately decided to retain their core players in an unsuccessful attempt to secure a postseason berth.