The biggest piece of this year’s MLB Trade Deadline has fallen as the San Diego Padres have acquired outfielder Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals, according to multiple MLB reporters.
As part of the deal, the Padres also get first baseman Josh Bell.
Heading to the nation’s capital from San Diego are LHP Mackenzie Gore, 1B Eric Hosmer, OF Robert Hassell III, SS C.J. Abrams, OF James Wood, RHP Jarlin Susana and another unnamed minor league player, per reports.
While the agreement for the trade has been made by the Padres and Nationals, the one aspect that could derail the entire trade is Eric Hosmer’s no-trade clause. Per reports, the Nationals are one of 10 teams on his no-trade list and would have to consent to being traded to Washington before the deal can be completed. For the trade to be completed, Hosmer may need to get compensated beyond the $39 million he is owed the next three years.
San Diego #Padres 1B Eric Hosmer has NOT approved the trade to Washington. The #Nats are on his no-trade list. It remains to be seen if he changes his mind.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 2, 2022
Instead of Hosmer going to Washington, first baseman Luke Voit goes to the Nats in place of Hosmer, the Boston Red Sox took on the first baseman.
The Padres are currently in the mix for one of the NL Wild Card spots, holding a two-game advantage over the final spot but sit 12 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
San Diego general manager A.J. Preller came short of a big deal last year as the Dodgers beat out the Padres to land RHP Max Scherzer and SS Trea Turner.
Soto will join a lineup that consist of Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. and brings a batting average of .246 with 21 home runs and 46 RBI. Soto currently leads the league in walks with 91, a whopping 31 ahead of second-place Dodgers INF Max Muncy.
A star-studded weekend in baseball is approaching as the Padres and Dodgers open up a three-game series in LA Friday.
This story will be updated
