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Yankees 'never' would've traded for Juan Soto if Padres owner lived

Yankees 'Never' Would Have Traded For Juan Soto If Padres Owner Lived

Soto Would've '100%' Been A Yankee

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler's decision to block a possible Juan Soto trade to the New York Yankees is a major blow to the Bronx Bombers.

“If [Seidler] wasn't the owner, I think 100% we would have had a deal done,” a source close to the negotiations told The New York Post.

Soto would have filled a key need

While the blockbuster Juan Soto trade from the Washington Nationals to the San Diego Padres has been widely praised, many also see it as a missed opportunity for the New York Yankees. The Yankees have long been in need of a right-handed power bat, and Soto would have filled that need perfectly.

Soto is one of the most feared hitters in baseball, and he is still just 24 years old. He has already won two Silver Sluggers, two batting titles, and a World Series championship. In 2022, he hit .313 with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs.

The Yankees have a number of good hitters, but they do not have a true superstar like Soto. Adding Soto to the lineup would have made the Yankees one of the favorites to win the World Series.

There is no guarantee that the Yankees would have been able to sign Soto to a long-term contract, but they would have had a chance. Soto is arbitration-eligible for the next two seasons, and he will be a free agent after the 2024 season. The Yankees have a lot of money to spend, and they would have been willing to pay Soto whatever it takes to keep him in pinstripes.

The Yankees may still be able to win the World Series without Soto but trading for him would have made their chances much better.