2 teams are considered frontrunners for trading

Two teams are reportedly leading the field to complete one of the biggest trades in MLB history for Juan Soto.

As I’m sure you know, Juan Soto is actually on the trading block. The 23-year-old superstar outfielder didn’t budge on a contract offer from the Washington Nationals. This has led to the Nationals being open to trading one of the best players in MLB. It has come to this ESPN’s Jeff Passan has said that the “chances of Juan Soto being traded are 80/20.”

This is big news as it affects the entire MLB. Imagine if a team acquires Juan Soto for the playoff run, the World Series odds change dramatically. Any team that acquires a potential future Hall of Famer before it’s even reached its prime is a massive upgrade.

This is also not a rental as Juan Soto is under control until 2024! An acquiring team would get Soto for at least three playoff chases. Granted, they would have to figure out an overtime or lose him to the free hand. It’s still extremely rare for a 23-year-old player to enter the trade market.

It’s even rarer for a player to enter the trade market with 2.5 years of control. It has never happened before that a 23-year-old player with 2.5 years of control was a two-time All-Star, three-time Top 10 MVP voting finisher, two-time Silver Slugger winner, and Rookie of the Year runner-up . Because of this, the Nationals will be demanding the largest package in potential MLB history.

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the two teams leading the race are the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres.

Juan Soto Rumors: Cardinals and Padres are the leaders in the pack

The Cardinals and Padres are overwhelmed by elite young talent. Any of their best prospects or young MLB players have all-star potential. The Cardinals have Nolan Gorman, Dylan Carlson, Matthew Liberatore, No. 7 Prospect Jordan Walker, Mason Wynn and many other top prospects. Meanwhile, the Padres have elite young pitchers McKenzie Gore, Adrian Morejon, CJ Abrams, Robert Hassell and more.

GM AJ Preller of the Padres will certainly be aggressive as he chases the playoffs and the elusive World Series. The Cardinals are equally hungry for a difference-making racquet that can help them deliver a World Series. They want to take full advantage of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado’s best windows. It doesn’t hurt that Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright were desperate to win in MLB’s final season.

That World Series win would feel like no other in St. Louis. It would triple its importance. The Padres want their first World Series win. Two teams with so much talent and so much to lose as they chase the Dodgers, Mets and Braves in the National League. Don’t be surprised if any of these Juan Soto rumors come true.

My prediction is that Juan Soto will end up as the Padres cardinals might decide to focus on their initial pitching.