After Eric Hosmer rejected a trade to the Washington Nationals, the San Diego Padres have found a replacement to complete their trade for Juan Soto and Josh Bell.
The Padres are including veteran first baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit in the trade. The Nationals made the official announcement Tuesday afternoon.
Washington receives shortstop C.J. Abrams, lefty MacKenzie Gore, outfielders Robert Hassell III and James Wood and righty Jarlin Susana in addition to Voit.
Outside of Voit, the Nationals replenish their farm system with the other five players ranging from the age of 18 to 23.
Abrams and Gore are not considered prospects as they’ve debuted in the MLB this season and are rookies. But, Abrams was the top shortstop prospect entering this season. Gore was a top-four Padres prospect before the season.
Meanwhile, Hassell ranked as the Padres’ top prospect. Wood is a local product, playing at St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. Susana is the No. 1 ranked pitcher in the international signing class.
Voit led MLB in home runs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season while playing with the New York Yankees. He has two more years remaining of team control.
This season, Voit is hitting .225/.317/.416 with 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 39 walks and 110 strikeouts in 344 plate appearances.
Of course, the big catch is for the Padres. They land the combination of Soto and Bell. Bell is in the last year of his contract, but the 29-year old first baseman is hitting .301/.384/.493 with 14 home runs, 57 RBI, 49 walks and 61 strikeouts in 437 plate appearances this season.
Soto is 23 year with a World Series ring, batting title, two Silver Sluggers and the 2022 Home Run Derby in his first five MLB seasons. He’s a generational talent. This season his batting numbers are down to his standards at .246/.408/.485 with 21 home runs and 46 RBI. He also leads MLB with 91 walks against 62 strikeouts.
San Diego gets to pair Soto with Fernando Tatis and Manny Machado with an already stellar lineup and solid pitching staff. Another perk is they’ll have Soto under contract for two years beyond this season.
The Padres emerged as early favorites from the moment Ken Rosenthal broke the news the Nationals made Soto available for a trade. Soto had rejected a historical contract offer from the Nationals of $440 million over 15 years. Washington felt it was best long-term to move Soto now.
Now the Nationals move further ahead in their rebuilding process with the haul from the Padres.
