The New York Yankees have lastly acquired outfielder Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres, in line with New York Submit columnist Joel Sherman, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
As of 11 p.m. EST on Dec. 6, the groups had nonetheless not introduced the deal.
In keeping with MLB Community’s Jon Morosi, the Padres are anticipated to obtain Michael King and Drew Thorpe, the Minor League Pitching Prospect of the Yr winner, because the centerpieces of the bundle. Additionally headed west are Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez, and backup catcher Kyle Higashioka. Outfielder Trent Grisham will be a part of Soto within the Bronx as a part of the deal.
King has pitched for the Yankees as each a starter and reliever since 2019. 2023 noticed King’s highest-ever utilization rage, posting a 2.75 ERA and 127 strikeouts over 104.2 innings. Thorpe is the Yankees’ second-ranked pitching prospect and fifth-ranked general prospect. New York drafted the right-handed pitcher within the second spherical of the 2022 MLB draft. As a member of the Cal Poly Mustangs, Thorpe received Massive West Convention Pitcher of the Yr as a junior, ending the yr 10-1 with a 2.32 ERA and 149 strikeouts.
Brito, who debuted this previous season, appeared in 25 video games this season, beginning 13. He was 9-7 with a save, and a 4.28 ERA. Vasquez, who was additionally referred to as up in 2023, began 5 of the 11 video games he appeared in, pitching to a 2.87 ERA.
Higashioka debuted for the Bronx Bombers in 2017 and has primarily served because the workforce’s second catcher. He’s a profession .210 hitter who slugged 10 residence runs in every of the previous three seasons.
This transaction comes after the Bronx Bombers swung a uncommon commerce with the rival Purple Sox for one more outfielder — Alex Verdugo. In keeping with studies, the Yankees would put Verdugo in left, transfer Aaron Choose to heart, and play Soto in proper.
Soto started his skilled profession with the Washington Nationals in 2018, taking part in a pivotal run within the franchise’s first-ever World Collection title in 2019. The lefty-swinging outfielder has locked up two All-MLB First Staff nominations along with 4 Silver Slugger awards and the 2020 NL batting title.
The three-time All-Star spent his final two seasons in San Diego after being acquired from the Washington Nationals within the 2022 commerce deadline. Soto is coming off considered one of his greatest seasons in three years, hitting a career-high 35 residence runs, a career-best 12 stolen bases, and 109 RBIs — his second-highest complete — in 2023.
Soto, 25, is in his fourth and last yr of arbitration. He’ll change into an unrestricted free agent in 2025 if the Yankees don’t signal him to an extension.
For his profession, Soto is a .284 hitter, with 160 residence runs, and a 157 OPS+.
Grisham is predicted to be a fourth outfielder for New York. He’s received two Gold Gloves.
