• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

Juan Soto Traded to Padres for Massive Prospect Haul

  • Soto’s trade was imminent after he turned down a $440M contract from Washington in June.
  • LHP MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, and OF James Wood highlight the players coming back.
Juan-Soto-Washington-Nationals-jersey
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

After turning down what would have been the largest contract in MLB history, Juan Soto was destined to be traded from the Nationals, and likely before Tuesday’s trade deadline.

The deal is reportedly done — and the return is one of the largest prospect hauls in baseball history.

Per multiple reports, Soto and Josh Bell were traded to the Padres for LHP MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, SS C.J. Abrams, OF James Wood, RHP Jarlin Susana, and 1B Luke Voit.

Originally, the final player in the deal was supposed to be 1B Eric Hosmer — but Washington was on Hosmer’s 10-team no-trade list, and he would not waive the clause to make the trade happen.

Ultimately, Hosmer — who shares agent Scott Boras with Soto and Bell — was dealt to the Red Sox. The return on the trade is unclear, but the Padres will likely retain at least some of the approximately $44 million in salary they owe him over the next 3+ years.

With the main event trade completed, Boras’ next task will be to lock up a huge extension for Soto — possibly the first ever $500 million contract.

That could end up being a tall task for San Diego, who has four $100 million+ contracts on the books, excluding Hosmer.

  • SS Fernando Tatis Jr.: 14-year, $340M contract signed in 2021
  • 3B Manny Machado: 10-year, $300M contract signed in 2019
  • RHP Yu Darvish: six-year, $126M contract signed in 2018 (with the Cubs)
  • RHP Joe Musgrove: five-year, $100M contract signed on Monday

But if the Pads can’t agree to a contract with Soto, they can effectively use him as a two-and-a-half-season rental as he likely sets arbitration records for the next two seasons.

After acquiring LHP Josh Hader — who also has one year of arbitration remaining after this season — in a trade Monday, the Padres are making it very clear that they want this iteration of the team to win a World Series in the next few seasons.

Easier said than done: San Diego currently trails the Dodgers by 12 games in the NL West and has won just one postseason series since 1999. That was a Wild Card Series in 2020 — the same season L.A. swept the Friars in the Division Series on the way to a championship.

The Padres currently have the sixth-best odds (+1100) to win this season’s World Series.

As for the Nats, they’ll have a treasure trove of young talent to work with as they rebuild.

Gore, Abrams, and Hassell were the third, sixth, and eighth overall picks, respectively, in their drafts, with Wood coming in at 62nd overall in his. The former two made their MLB debuts this season, while the latter two were considered two of the top three prospects in the Padres’ system.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Cubs flag sign is seen prior to a game between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field

Facial Recognition Tech Suit Against Cubs Dismissed

The Cubs said they don’t use the technology protected by Illinois law.

MLB Postseason TV Ratings Surge to Highest Levels Since 2010

Audiences continue to grow, extending a season-long trend.

The Yankees’ $319M Roster Flopped. Now Comes the Hard Part: 2026

The MLB club’s current contracts limit its flexibility somewhat for next year.
exclusive

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Jan 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Wells Fargo Center

Golden Knights Add Hockey Canada Trial’s Carter Hart

Hart is the only acquitted player to sign with an NHL team.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:
October 9, 2025

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC sits during a break in their TGL golf match against Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
October 13, 2025

Latest Tiger Woods Surgery Bad News for TGL, PGA Tour Champions

Woods is recovering from his seventh back surgery in 11 years.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.