Juan Soto, who was traded to the New York Yankees, spent one season and three months with the San Diego Padres. AP
[NEW YORK (AP) – Outfielder Juan Soto will finally don the New York Yankees’ pinstripes.
The San Diego Padres and New York Yankees finalized a seven-player trade on the final day of the Winter Meetings on Sunday (ET).
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone have left Nashville. It’s not official yet.
MLB Network reporter John Morosi posted on social media that the deal involves the Yankees receiving left-handed hitting outfielders Soto and Trent Grisham and the Padres adding pitchers Michael King, Johnny Brito, Randy Vasquez, prospect Drew Toffey and catcher Kyle Higuain.
MLB Network also reported that the deal was finalized.
As expected, the Yankees received a left-hander and the Padres a pitcher.
The Padres lost starter Bray Snell and closer Josh Hader to free agency, leaving a void on the mound.
They made side-by-side qualifying offers to both players, compensating them with draft rights if another team signed them. 온라인카지노
Initially, the Padres were reported to have included Soto and first baseman Jake Cronenwirth in the deal. Cronenwirth signed a seven-year, $80 million extension earlier this offseason.
Soto, who is due $23 million in 2023, will become a free agent after the 2024 season and Grisham after the 2025 season.
Grisham, a Gold Glove winner, is eligible for arbitration and is due $3.175 million in 2023.
The Yankees added three left-handed hitters in two days – Alex Verdugo from the Boston Red Sox and Juan Soto and Trent Grisham from the San Diego Padres – but Cashman insisted that Aaron Judge is the Yankees’ center fielder.
Left fielder Alex Verdugo, center fielder Aaron Judge, and right fielder Juan Soto are expected to play.
San Diego’s Petco Park has produced 86 home runs. It’s a perfect fit for Soto.
The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native is already in his seventh year in the MLB.
He made his debut with the Washington Nationals in 2018 at age 19.
This year, he played in every game, batting .275 with 35 home runs, 109 RBIs, and a .930 OPS.
In his six-year MLB career, he is batting .284-160 with 483 RBI and a .946 OPS.
Grisham hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, batting .198 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs.
He’s a platoon player.
The Washington Nationals offered Soto a 15-year, $440 million contract for the 2022 season, but he turned it down and was traded to the San Diego Padres on August 2.
For the Yankees, he’s a one-year rental, as he’s a free agent after the 2024 season.
A one-season deal would be a huge pitching hole.
However, being the Yankees, they can sign him to a long-term deal.
This is why the Seattle Mariners trade rumors were reported and then quickly turned to the Yankees.
Seattle is in the midst of a payroll cut.
The Yankees missed the postseason this year for the first time since 2016.
A lack of depth on the mound and a weak left field lineup were crucial.
Soto has emerged as a solution to the left field deficit.
