The biggest looming question heading into Major League Baseball’s trade deadline (6 p.m. ET Tuesday night) is whether or not the Washington Nationals will trade superstar outfielder Juan Soto. Soto was recently made available by the Nationals after turning down a 15-year, $440 million extension. The Nationals appear motivated to move him at the deadline, as the franchise is expected to be shopped this offseason by new owners. Incoming owners would probably prefer not to make their first order of business trading a 23-year-old on a Hall-of-Fame track.
The St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have been identified as the most likely landing spots for Soto since he was placed on the trade block.
Below, CBS Sports will track all Soto-related rumors, news and notes throughout the day.
Padres the favorites approaching the deadline?
According to Barry Svrluga of Washington Post, there is a “growing sense” that the Padres may be the favorites to land Soto — and, perhaps, first baseman Josh Bell. (Bell, an impending free agent, is considered one of the other top players remaining on the trade market.) Multiple reports — including one from Jon Heyman — have since said there is growing optimism that a deal will be reached, though nothing has been finalized.
It’s unclear who the Padres would offer the Nationals in return, and Bell’s inclusion appears to raise the asking price. In theory, the Padres could craft a package that includes some combination of infielder CJ Abrams, injured left-handers MacKenzie Gore and Adrian Morejon, and prospects Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Jackson Merrill.
It should be noted that the Nationals reportedly have several minor leaguers on their way to Washington. At the very least, that means the Nationals are preparing for the possibility of a trade before Tuesday night’s game.
Are the Cardinals unwilling to include Carslon and top prospects?
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.comthe Cardinals are unwilling to part with major leaguer Dylan Carlson in any Soto trade that also sends their top prospects — possibly third baseman Jordan Walker and/or shortstop Masyn Winn.
Carlson, 23, is a former top prospect himself. In 267 major league games, he hit .253/.325/.419 (107 OPS+) with 27 home runs. The Cardinals seem to think there’s more room for him to grow, that or, as is often the case, they’re playing hard ball. After all, a lot can change over the course of a day in negotiations, especially when there is a deadline crunch.
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