Less than 24 hours after adding Alex Verdugo to their outfield, the New York Yankees might reel in an even bigger outfield fish.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, a trade for Juan Soto is “close to being finalized.”
Though Soto is a free agent next year, acquiring him means getting exclusive negotiating rights, should the Yankees want to try to extend him, and that allows the Padres to ask for a sizable return. New York will have to send several players to San Diego, including Michael King and Drew Thorpe.
Soto coming to the American League East is a game-changing development. The 24-year-old is a stellar offensive talent, and with free agency a year away, prepared to spend the season earning what could be one of the first $500 million contracts in league history. (Current free agent Shohei Ohtani is projected to be the first.) Since debuting at 19 years old in 2018, Soto has hit .284 with a .946 OPS, and averaged 25 doubles and 27 homers per year. This year, he ranked in the 90th MLB percentile or better in several offensive metrics, including Batting Run Value (97), Hard-Hit (99), and Walk Rate (100).
He’s known for impressive plate discipline, leading the Majors in walks in each of the last three seasons. He’s been an All-Star three years running and just won his fourth consecutive Silver Slugger Award.
He’s also consistently healthy, averaging 155 games per season over the last three years. This year, he played in all 162 regular-season games, an attractive notion for the Yankees, whose outfield currently includes the oft-injured Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge.
Shohei Ohtani is expected to decide on a team by Sunday, reports Morosi.
Ahead of the Rule 5 Draft, the Colorado Rockies released former Red Sox pitcher Connor Seabold to clear a spot on their 40-man roster. The Red Sox acquired Seabold, 27, in the August 2020 Nick Pivetta trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. Seabold made a one-game debut in 2021, and made five starts for Boston the following season. Overall, he allowed 26 runs (25 earned) in 21 1/3 innings. Last January, the Red Sox designated him for assignment (to clear a roster spot for Corey Kluber) and traded him to the Rockies.