Is it an explosion of popularity?
Juan Soto (25) was traded to the San Diego Padres after rejecting the Washington Nationals’ 15-year, $440 million (approximately 594 billion won) contract offer. In 162 games this season, he played his part with 156 hits in 568 at-bats, a batting average of 0.275, 35 home runs, 109 RBIs, 97 runs, and an OPS of 0.929.
Soto received an annual salary of $23 million this year. There were predictions from foreign media that next year’s annual salary would rise to about $33 million. This is an amount that San Diego, which is trying to lower its payroll from about $250 million this year to about $200 million next year, cannot afford. Additionally, it is difficult to grant a contract extension worth more than $440 million a year before free agency.메이저놀이터
Therefore, the American media treats Soto’s trade as a fait accompli. A middle- and long-distance left-handed hitter capable of hitting 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. There are already several teams drooling over Soto. The Athletic selected San Diego’s Soto trade partner club on the 18th (Korean time).
In addition to the New York Yankees, which have already been announced, the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Guardians have emerged as candidates. In particular, it is noticeable that he continues to be connected to the Yankees, whose batting indicators are generally low this season. Boston has also been unable to establish itself as a prestigious team in recent years.
The Athletic said, “The Yankees have the capacity to sign a long-term contract if Soto moves. It could be sold again at the 2024 trade deadline. It is possible to provide San Diego with a package of prospects representing the major leagues, including pitchers Michael King and Johnny Brito, outfielders Everson Ferreira, and infielders Oswaldo Ferreira. “If the Yankees bring in Soto, they can focus on improving their starting lineup the rest of the offseason.”
What’s surprising is the San Francisco Giants. In the 2021 season, they beat the LA Dodgers to win the National League West Division, but failed for two years in a row. Since it is in the same western division of the National League as San Diego, it should be considered unlikely that the transfer will actually take place. Moreover, Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, had a conflict in the past over the non-negotiation of a contract between San Francisco and Carlos Correa (Minnesota Twins).
However, San Francisco is the most active club in scouting Lee Jeong-hoo, and there are also constant reports that they will try to recruit the biggest free agent, Shohei Ohtani. The Athletic said, “In the end, San Diego will try their best to trade Soto if they can, even if they are within the division.”